Bears quarterback Justin Fields played a huge role in the team’s upset win over the 49ers in Week 1. If you looked at the box score you wouldn’t think that, but it’s context that matters.
After a rough first-half outing where Fields had just three completions and an interception, he turned things around in the second half with his raw talent, playmaking ability and composure.
It’s something that receiver Byron Pringle really admired about his quarterback.
“I love his composure throughout the game, from the first to the fourth,” Pringle said. “He knew it was four quarters we have to play, not just one half. I like how he handled himself, kind of like the guy where I left from, Pat Mahomes. He’s always calm and being able to progress and keep the offense rolling, not just giving up on the guys because something bad happened early in the game.”
Things seemed bleak in the first half, where the 49ers jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the third quarter. But Fields quickly brought his team back, starting with some improv when the pocket collapsed and Fields found Dante Pettis for a 51-yard score on a scramble drill.
The Bears scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half, including two on passes from Fields.
“That’s just being a pro, that’s being a vet,” Pringle said. “That’s a big leap especially for a second-year player just because I know you’ve probably seen other players pout, like, get down and probably blame, [pointing] fingers behind closed doors. But he just kept his composure and was able to lead the offense and orchestrate it the correct way.”
Fields completed 8-of-17 passes for 121 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a 85.7 passer rating. While his stat line doesn’t jump off the page, his performance certainly does.
