CHICAGO — Once rookie quarterback Justin Fields settled in the Chicago Bears saw the playmaking ability they dreamed about on draft day.
Fields, who played at Harrison high before one season at Georgia, rallied Chicago back Saturday from a 13-0 deficit in his NFL debut by throwing for a touchdown and running for one in a 20-13 exhibition-game victory over the Miami Dolphins.
“It is preseason and we understand that there’s variables involved and all that, but at the same time if you said is he doing what you want him to do? Absolutely,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said.
In just over two quarters of playing time, Fields was 14 of 20 for 142 yards and was at his best rolling outside the pocket and throwing.
“I definitely feel good outside of the pocket,” Fields said. “It puts a lot of pressure on the defense and allows me to play backyard football with the receivers.”
Fields’ passing also helped the Bears get on the scoreboard for the first time with a 53-yard Cairo Santos field goal on the final play of the first half. Until that possession, the Bears hadn’t picked up a first down as Miami dominated play early.
With Soldier Field fans chanting “Let’s Go Fields,” the former Ohio State passer replaced starter Andy Dalton with 12:11 left until halftime but needed a few drives to get warmed up. Fields did fumble during a scramble following a spin move in the second quarter before the rally began, but the ball went out of bounds.
“I think after that I’m going to officially retire the spin move,” Fields said.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
The Bears put away the win with Brian Johnson’s 44-yard field goal following a 51-yard run by Artavis Pierce in the fourth quarter after Fields left the game.
The performance left Bears players bubbling.
“He’s a natural,” said receiver Rodney Adams, who led the Bears with four catches for 57 yards.
Fields will keep his focus on improving for now and not on what he might need to do to take the starting spot from Dalton. Nagy has insisted Dalton is the starter.
“I think when you look into the future you start worrying about way too much stuff,” Fields said. “You start thinking too much ahead.”
The Dolphins host Atlanta on Saturday. They will host the Falcons in joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday leading up to the game.
The Bears host Buffalo next Saturday. Fields and former Georgia QB Jake Fromm could be on the same field again.
