Chicago Bears Quarterback Impresses in Preseason Finale

Following a rookie season that left many fans disappointed, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields turned heads this past weekend. In the team's final preseason contest, Fields completed an impressive 14 of his 16 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns in a little less than a half of game time.

Justin Fields’ growth this preseason is directly linked to his coaches building their SCHEME TO HIS STRENGTHS. Lots of movement, boots/keepers and play action pass. His patented accuracy and footwork that made him a star at Ohio State have shown up. Da Bears fans have hope.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 28, 2022

After a first year that saw him throw more interceptions than touchdowns and take a sack on an alarming 11.8% of his dropbacks, things looked bleak for last year's 11th overall pick. Combine that with an offseason that saw the departure of star wide receiver Allen Robinson and pass rusher Khalil Mack, and the Bears had the look of a team set up to fail this year. But Fields's play this preseason has sparked hope. He avoided throwing a single interception, and he dropped his sack percentage all the way down to 6.25.

Coming into the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields profiled as a mobile, tough quarterback who could succeed from the pocket and extend plays when he needed to. Comparisons to Dak Prescott ignited hopes of a similar fast star; Prescott won 13 games as a rookie for the Dallas Cowboys. But Fields struggled to adjust to NFL speed and couldn't get away from pass rushers like he could in college. Hopefully, with a year under his belt, he'll be able to deliver on the tremendous promise he showed at Ohio State.