The Chicago Bears’ 33-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers was equal parts a gut punch and reality check.
A win would’ve let the Bears’ dream of piecing together a run toward a wild-card spot continue. I mean, someone from the glob of meh teams competing in the NFC has to take one of the spots that isn’t going to the NFC West runner-up. But losing, and doing so in the fashion in which they did, was the reality check everyone in that organization needs right now.
Reality Check #1: Justin Fields has the talent to change everything…
Akiem Hicks knows what’s up:
Akiem Hicks said of Justin Fields: “He’s elite. It’s fun to watch.”
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) October 31, 2021
The best quarterback prospects are the ones whose talent and skills can mask shortcomings elsewhere on the roster. And for what it’s worth, Justin Fields has that “it” factor.
Fields had a heckuva game. He was 19 of 26 for 175 yards and aa 103.8 passer rating before the interception off Darnell Mooney’s hands ended things. I’ll give you the passing yards being underwhelming, but the guy was in his bag today:
Watch Justin Fields Pull a Houdini Act and Score an AMAZING TD on 4th Downhttps://t.co/Nq7l5fxK5H
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) October 31, 2021
Justin Fields with the dime 🔥pic.twitter.com/8qM4otiFxl
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) October 31, 2021
What a move!!! Justin Fields with the Spin cycle! 🔁 pic.twitter.com/m1KxTTdEuQ
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) October 31, 2021
*THAT STUFF* is what matters most on a day like today.
Not necessarily the numbers, but the moments. Those snapshots in time might as well be building blocks for a better tomorrow. These are the things that allow you to dream the biggest dreams about QB1’s future. That Fields looked the part of being the type of franchise QB we’ve been craving in Chicago forever because he was carrying an otherwise blergh performance is the big takeaway.
Reality Check #2: But there’s a “but”
It’s a mighty big one, too. Because while Fields has the tools (arm strength, mobility, the ability to make something spectacular out of nothing), they can go only so far with the coaching and personnel currently employed in Chicago.
If anything, Sunday’s game should’ve been an eye-opening moment for the powers that be who make employ those responsible for putting those pieces around Fields.
Losing stinks. But in the end, losing a game in which Fields looks like the truth is a more desirable result than winning ugly. For those of us requesting necessary changes get made in order to build a winner moving forward, this is a game we’ll circle. Sure, it’s a blow to this year’s playoff hopes. But taking a small step back is a worthy price to pay if it means a larger leap forward in the future. Hopefully, it’s not a distant future — even if it feels like it right now.