At 3-8, the Chicago Bears’ 2022 season is all but certainly over when it comes to playoff contention. But there was a time when the Bears could’ve made it interesting before they lost four straight games (while putting up 148 points and losing three one-score games). Of course, if not for the recent meteoric ascent from Justin Fields, the Bears don’t even make that push.
But after a clearly hurt Fields couldn’t carry Chicago’s otherwise poor roster across the finish line in Sunday’s 27-24 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, the QB wasn’t blaming any of his teammates. Not only did the second-year rising signal caller take full responsibility for the defeat (unlike one of his peers), he took it a step further.
Fields actually apologized to the Bears despite another solid game from him. You might be thinking: Huh? And I get it.
Well, I’m here to tell you this young man is different.
Little nugget I picked up: Bears QB Justin Fields apologized to his teammates after Chicago's loss to the Falcons in the locker room postgame. Told them the defense gave the offense a chance, and the offense didn't get it done.
Went a long way with guys, after he'd played hurt.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 22, 2022
I have no way to verify this myself, but this is one of the few instances I can remember where a quarterback poured his heart out to teammates despite being the main reason (by far) they were even in a game in the first place. That might as well be the standard definition of leadership; taking accountability even if it isn’t your fault.
As Fields works back from a shoulder injury — that is somewhere between day-to-day or season-ending (???) — his status for the Bears’ 2022 stretch run seems up in the air. Whenever he does return, be it this Sunday against the New York Jets, a few weeks now, or even for the 2023 campaign: It’s clear the Bears have found themselves a gem of a quarterback their other players can wholeheartedly believe in.
NFL fans were blown away by the report of Fields' apology to the Bears
The Bears have lost four straight games in which they scored 29, 30, 32, and 24 points. Their defense ranked 27th in DVOA over that stretch. So, Fields' teammates would be right to stop him mid-apology, as they reportedly did.
Point is, of course, that Fields did it. https://t.co/FXe2D2Ok4j
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) November 22, 2022
Big fan of @justnfields & stuff like this matters https://t.co/iVA5AJ4s31
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) November 22, 2022
meanwhile, in Chicago. https://t.co/UgHn6IfwOR
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 22, 2022
A real leader imo https://t.co/TUTJsH920f
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) November 22, 2022
Leadership at the QB position ⬇️ https://t.co/HzjibDI7yS
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) November 22, 2022
Justin Fields is so clearly built for this era of QB leadership.
Also, his teammates consistently see a version of him that we don't get a chance to know. https://t.co/4DaIsSH7wW— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) November 22, 2022
rooting for @justnfields https://t.co/OLWajNcT1D
— Chris Brockman (@chrisbrockman) November 22, 2022
We may wonder how 10 players were drafted ahead of Justin Fields for a long time. https://t.co/meSYq1UxEq
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) November 22, 2022
This is our guy. https://t.co/vv2Cd3Jzja
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) November 22, 2022
Interesting. It probably went a long way. https://t.co/sRNbOv6b6G
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) November 22, 2022
He's THAT guy! https://t.co/wjjqnv2P6j pic.twitter.com/vjtqsg6gUz
— Joshua Buckley (@joshuabuckley) November 22, 2022
It'd be very cool if Justin Fields were really good for a long time. https://t.co/2Cd8VroQ08
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) November 22, 2022
Dude’s a class act. https://t.co/tb8us8cGou
— Alan Goldsher (@AlanGoldsher) November 22, 2022
Some veteran leadership from the sophomore QB. https://t.co/3gqNjXxscY
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) November 22, 2022
Justin Fields gets it. https://t.co/RyuX86Sadz
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) November 22, 2022
