CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Disappointment was the prevailing emotion in the Bears' locker room after their 35-32 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday at Soldier Field, but the feeling of hope was present too.
That's because the Bears continued to watch second-year quarterback Justin Fields emerge into a young star and look like the type of franchise cornerstone they hope he can be. Fields' performance eased the pain of a close loss in which his flashes of spectacular play inspired hope that better days are on the horizon for Chicago.
Fields set an NFL record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single regular-season game with 178, including a sensational 61-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He surpassed the great Michael Vick's previous regular-season record of 173 rushing yards in a game in 2002, and Fields came three yards shy of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's 181 rushing yards in a win in a playoff game in January 2013. Fields was also 17-of-28 for 123 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air.
"He's special," Bears guard Teven Jenkins said.
Fields set a Bears franchise record for the longest run by a quarterback with his 61-yard score, a play on which he scrambled away from pressure on third-and-6 and flew past several Dolphins defenders on his way to the end zone.
Fields hit 20.33 miles per hour of top speed on the run, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
"The Madden ratings better go up," Bears receiver Darnell Mooney said.
"He's a dominant player. Everybody knows that."
After a play later in the third quarter in which Fields went out of bounds along Miami's sideline, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told Fields to "stop it" with his elusive running. There was good reason for McDaniel to joke with Fields, as Miami's defense didn't have an answer for him. Fields gained 113 rushing yards more than expected Sunday, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He thrived both with designed runs and scrambling opportunities, which helped create opportunities in the passing game.
Fields had a 106.7 passer rating. It was the second straight game and third time in his career than he surpassed a 100 passer rating. His three passing touchdowns were also a career-best total.
"You continue to see him grow week in and week out," Bears safety Eddie Jackson said.
That's important for the Bears as they continue to build for the future in their first season under the guidance of coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears' goal has been to see if Fields deserves their faith as a franchise quarterback in the making.
Poles pointed to Fields' ascending play as part of why he made a bold trade Tuesday with the Steelers to acquire receiver Chase Claypool. It was an investment in the future of Fields, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Fields reminded everyone Sunday why the Bears believe in him.
"Obviously, a huge step for Justin Fields and the franchise today," Eberflus said.
"We're building our football team. We have a young football team. We're building upon that, and the centerpiece of that is the quarterback. It's the way it is in the NFL."
There's still plenty for Fields to keep improving on as he progresses through this season. The Bears had two late possessions while trailing 35-32 in the fourth quarter, and they came up empty both times in their quest to tie or take the lead. Fields and the Bears didn't have consistent downfield production in the passing game when they needed it the most.
Even so, it was a loss that inspired good vibes. Chicago has yearned for a star quarterback who's long been missing in this city, and now Fields is starting to shine bright.
"It's very exciting for the future," Jenkins said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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