There hasn’t been much to be hopeful about during the Bears’ 4-8 season, but rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ development has been the one thing the fanbase has been able to enjoy during what’s been a rough season.
After missing the last two games with cracked ribs, Fields has been medically cleared and will start Sunday night against the Packers, Matt Nagy told reporters Wednesday.
Fields’ return coincides with Andy Dalton’s injury to his non-throwing hand, although Nagy insisted that Dalton’s injury has nothing to do with Fields’ return.
The last time Fields played on prime time, he orchestrated an impressive 21-point outing in the fourth quarter for the Bears, which fell just short as the Steelers booted a game-wining field goal.
Now, Fields gets another chance to show the NFL world the player he can become — and he gets to do it against Chicago’s biggest rival.
While there’s still not a lot of hope the Bears can beat the Packers, fans recognize the most important thing at this point of the season — the continued development of Fields.
Justin Fields’ ribs healed right about the time that Andy Dalton may have a broken finger. So that’s always nice. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) December 8, 2021
The #Bears aren't going to the playoffs this year. So the evaluation of Justin Fields the rest of the way is the biggest thing for this franchise no matter who is back and who is not.
Barring anymore injuries, we get five more games of him as the starter.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) December 8, 2021
Great experience for Fields though. Gonna play there 17 more times minimum
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) December 8, 2021
Scratch fantasy –
Super excited to see our franchise guy out there vs. our rival this week as a Bears fan. Sundays are better when you’re looking forward to your home team play. https://t.co/V5K0g22J8j
— Nick Skrip (@P2WFantasy) December 8, 2021
At least there is something to watch for. https://t.co/TpFhAc3LGQ
— Furious George (@FuriousGeorge94) December 8, 2021
Doesn’t matter if Nagy is still coaching https://t.co/O3KW3B3ANF
— Andrew (@Ajohnson_45) December 8, 2021
This will be the first time Justin Fields plays the same team for a second time. Looking forward to seeing how he responds https://t.co/m7ppLsWvjn
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) December 8, 2021
Don’t give me hope https://t.co/V4hbG7pzr3
— Boehm (@Nick_Boehm72) December 8, 2021
https://t.co/h0qLc0FifA pic.twitter.com/dU09sOoQeL
— Parth Shah (@ParthShahBD) December 8, 2021
Justin Fields vs Aaron Rodgers🔥🔥 https://t.co/oysQSirNIU
— Jorge Tinajero (@jorgetinajeroe) December 8, 2021
really not sure how to feel about this cause i’d rather him be shut down for the season. but at least it’ll be (semi) entertaining https://t.co/yoo37VOAZp
— Ron Mexico (@m_gallagher18) December 8, 2021
Bears are upsetting Green Bay. BOOK IT!!!!!!!! https://t.co/KyeqUZKJA3
— Certified Justin Fields Lover (@RLZ54) December 8, 2021
https://t.co/BNZ7UgD5B5 pic.twitter.com/iC6x6Fiy3b
— Bryan, She Wrote (@StuckInTheIV) December 8, 2021
I’m all the way back in, Bears money line is a lock https://t.co/W2nfWtAyFg
— Jared Chance (@jaredchance67) December 8, 2021
Time to start convincing myself we have a chance https://t.co/CmVgWglJ70
— White Boy Rick (@W_B_Rick) December 8, 2021
Had no choice ….. start him now or get fired https://t.co/PFSufbl3Vd
— KDRoberts (@thakicker11) December 8, 2021
little rib injury never set my boy back before! https://t.co/hZe9ghVDlo
— Hayley McGoldrick (@GoldieOnSports) December 8, 2021
Can’t believe they’d tell the Packers this early in the week, now they’ll have so much time to get ready for the Fields offense that differs so extensively from the Dalton offense! https://t.co/ytEKm1eACl
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) December 8, 2021
Ok… I’m watching now 😂 https://t.co/cQLO2WktKI
— MonstaOfDaTriState (@scar179nyc) December 8, 2021
Fields coming to save the Bears https://t.co/eBi6C3ejcl pic.twitter.com/TQiR5Y1i9E
— G R I Z Z. (@GrizzlyGridiron) December 8, 2021
Sunday night lambeau is a spooky place kid https://t.co/JviEvRQTCq
— Tyler Wascow (@TyTywas) December 8, 2021
Please keep our future QB safe while our HC tries to ruin him!! https://t.co/xGaFlWsdnh pic.twitter.com/OjvWhOKYk2
— DaBearsBacker (@DaBearsBacker) December 8, 2021
Being him on. The future King. https://t.co/qJ5HqfHY0X pic.twitter.com/UPJfXdOUT9
— A Cold Civil War Cultural War Battle (@AlphaSenshi) December 8, 2021
Thank the Lord, Justin Fields https://t.co/dM9KKg82b1
— Fields Of Bears (@FieldsofBears) December 8, 2021
Aka: The last throw of Nagy’s dice https://t.co/nBDDlBWKUT
— Ollie Murry (@OllieMurray1) December 8, 2021
Maybe the bears lose by 14 now instead of 35 https://t.co/jQs1HX15RG
— Brett (@CUBBlEBLUE97) December 8, 2021
The only reason to watch Chicago Bears football games has returned. https://t.co/pVDEZbrTRs
— illwill (Light Skin but I'm still a Dark….) (@79illwill) December 8, 2021
What was your favorite moment of the Andy Dalton Era?™️ https://t.co/h9k0tXY688
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) December 8, 2021
Finally, a reason to watch the game on Sunday Night. https://t.co/NtWaTvaItV
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) December 8, 2021
OH WE BACK! https://t.co/5VYnV7xi4y
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 8, 2021