NEWSLETTER
Justin Fields is back in the saddle for the Chicago Bears. But for all the discussion about how Fields should be on notice and that he should use the final seven games of the 2023 season to prove himself worthy of being the Bears’ QB1 for the future, we shouldn’t leave out how this is an important stretch for his coaches.
For me, this is make-or-break time for Head Coach Matt Eberflus and Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy. And that is how it should be, right? If this is the time for a proper evaluation of Fields, then it should be the same for Eberflus and Getsy. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
In reporting on the Bears’ quarterback situation, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport noted that a more talented roster in 2023 (compared to the collection of talent Chicago was trotting out weekly in 2022) should provide a “fairer evaluation” of Fields. If that is to be taken at face value, then it should be applicable for Eberflus and Getsy. The two most important coaches at Halas Hall should be seen as being challenged in the same way that Fields is being put to the test down the stretch. Everyone should be under the microscope — not just Fields. If that isn’t how the Bears are operating down the stretch, then what are we even doing?
If General Manager Ryan Poles believes that the roster he put together is better than what it has shown to this point, then it will be Eberflus, Getsy, and Fields whose futures will be decided by the last seven games. Boiling it down to just Fields would be oversimplifying the matter. Heck, maybe Poles should be under closer inspection because he was the guy who hired Eberflus (who hired Getsy) and kept Fields (instead of drafting CJ Stroud or Bryce Young).
I have no problem challenging Justin Fields for these final seven games. In fact, I look forward to seeing how it plays out. But I don’t love that the coaching staff seems to be escaping accountability. Today offers up an opportunity for a clean page. Let’s see how the authors finish writing the story of the 2023 Bears.
How to Watch Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions
FOX-TV (Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink)
ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer)
Sports USA Radio (Josh Appel, Brandon Noble)
Chicago Bears (3-7) vs Detroit Lions (7-2)
Kickoff Time: Noon CT
Site: Ford Field; Detroit
Referee: Scott Novak
Odds: Bears +7.5, O/U 47.5 (via BetMGM)
GAME PREVIEW: Bears vs Lions — November 19, 2023
Bears Projected Starters
Offense
- QB Justin Fields (He’s back! … and under the microscope!)
- RB Khalil Herbert
- FB Khari Blasingame
- WR D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney
- TE Cole Kmet
- LT Braxton Jones, LG Teven Jenkins, C Lucas Patrick, RG Nate Davis, RT Darnell Wright
Defense
- DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Andrew Billings, DT DeMarcus Walker, DE Montez Sweat
- WLB T.J. Edwards, MLB Tremaine Edmunds
- CB Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon
- FS Eddie Jackson, SS Jaquan Brisker
Specialists
- Kicking game: Cairo Santos (kicker), Trenton Gill (punter, holder), Patrick Scales (long snapper)
- Return game: Trent Taylor (punt returns), Tyler Scott (kick returns)
Inactive players
- WR Velus Jones Jr.
- OL Ja’Tyre Carter
- QB Nathan Peterman
- S Quindell Johnson
- LB Micah Baskerville
- DE Dominique Robinson
- LB Noah Sewell
Lions Projected Starters
Offense
- QB Jared Goff
- RB David Montgomery
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams
- TE Sam LaPorta
- LT Taylor Decker, LG Kayode Awosika, C Frank Ragnow, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Penei Sewell
Defense
- DE Aidan Hutchinson, DTs Alim McNeill and Benito Jones, DE John Cominsky
- WLB Jack Campbell, MLB Alex Anzalone, SLB Derrick Barnes
- CB Cameron Sutton, Jerry Jacobs
- FS Kerby Joseph, SS Tracy Walker III
Specialists
- Kicking game: Riley Patterson (kicker), Jack Fox (punter, holder), Jake McQuaide (long snapper)
- Return game: Craig Reynolds (kick returns), Kalif Raymond (punt returns)
Inactive players
- DL Isaiah Buggs
- CB Steven Gilmore
- WR Antoine Green
- G Jonah Jackson
- DL Brodric Martin
- LB Trevor Nowaske
- DL Levi Onwuzurike
