Eberflus, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko have worked with Fields to blend his elite athleticism and big arm with the necessary, high-level skills needed to play quarterback in the NFL.

There’s one thing both Eberflus and Getsy have pointed to that would be a clear sign that all Fields’ hard work is paying off. The Bears have wanted to see the slithery Fields navigate a messy pocket and escape it while keeping his eyes downfield. Last year, Fields would put his head down and run. The Bears don’t want to take that tool out of Fields’ arsenal, but they want him to evade pressure with a passer’s mentality, exhausting all downfield options before bolting.

In the Bears’ 28-13 win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday, one play early on showed Eberflus and his staff that things are starting to click as they hoped.

Facing a third-and-8 from their own 11, Fields dropped back and was pressured from the right and up the middle. Fields dodged both rushers while keeping his eyes downfield as the blocks held. Once it became clear he was out of time, the Bears quarterback took off and punctuated his Houdini act with a 19-yard gain.

“The finish part of that helps him to be able to do that, to avoid the sack,” Eberflus said of the play Monday at Halas Hall. “He’s done a really good job of late of looking down the field to be able to deliver some passes down the field, which is cool. The next dimension is what you’re talking about — the ability to escape. He’s so strong, and he’s got strong lowers, and he’s got great balance, as I say a lot of time with DJ [Moore]. He has that as well. He has the ability to put it on guys for 19 yards or, as you saw last year, even more than that. We’re excited about where he is with that, in terms of the first phase of that, looking downfield to complete the passes, and the second phase — when it’s not there in situational ball, to make it happen.”

CHICAGO BEARS

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Since returning from a dislocated right thumb in Week 11, Fields has been playing arguably his best all-around football as the Bears’ quarterback.

On Sunday, Fields went 19-for-33 for 223 yards and one touchdown while adding 58 yards and a score on the ground. Fields’ day was highlighted by a free-play touchdown pass to DJ Moore, on which Fields used his cadence to draw the defense offsides before throwing a 38-yard strike to Moore to give the Bears a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Fields’ future in Chicago remains up in the air, with four games left in the season.

But the growth the Bears believed would come is starting to show itself. If it continues to do so over the final month of the season, the Bears will have already answered their quarterback question.

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With each passing week, the Bears’ chances of obtaining the No. 1 overall pick via the Carolina Panthers have ticked up. As the percentage has ticked up, the pressure to find the correct answer to the franchise’s most pressing question has ratcheted up.

Is Justin Fields a franchise quarterback, or is a change needed this offseason?

A month ago, all the breadcrumbs pointed to the Bears heading in a different direction under center.

Fields had been inconsistent as a passer and missed four games due to a dislocated right thumb. The flashes were still there. The rare athleticism still evident. The potential tantalizing.

But all that does is get people fired.

Fields returned from his thumb injury in Week 12, needing to string together an impressive final stretch that showed growth and high-level quarterbacking that Poles can build around.

Anything less, and the Bears’ choice would be obvious, with two blue-chip prospects in Caleb Williams and Drake Maye set to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fields is aware of his uncertain future in Chicago. He’s not letting it weigh him down. If anything, it might be elevating his game.

The third-year quarterback was good in his return to action against the Detroit Lions in Week 11. He showed increased pocket presence and escaped the pocket with a passer’s mentality, keeping his eyes downfield to find an open man in space. These are checkpoints head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko have been wanting to see.

Fields followed that up with a game-winning drive in Minnesota, during which he fumbled twice in critical moments. Fields erased those mistakes with a third-down strike to DJ Moore to set up a game-winning field goal. It was progress, but warts remained.

Entering the bye week, the feeling in league circles was that the Bears would still move on from Fields. Could five games really negate everything that has come before? It’s also important to remember that decisions are often made with the decision-maker’s own self-interest in mind.

“Do you really want to be the GM that passes on Caleb Williams?” a league source told NBC Sports Chicago. “If you don’t know for sure that Fields is your guy at this point, he’s probably not your guy. Betting on flashes and potential is a good way to get fired. If you pick Williams and he busts, it’s probably not going to cost you your job.

“I understand why it’s still a question. He’s got talent and the tools you want for the today’s game. But is he going to win you a Super Bowl?”

But that opinion isn’t unanimous.

The Bears entered Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions with a 94 percent chance of earning a top-two pick, per ESPN analytics. Following Sunday’s action in which the Panthers lost again, the Bears now have a 95 percent chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick.

With the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants all slotting behind them in the Williams-Maye sweepstakes, Fields has the opportunity to open the Bears up to a world of opportunity should he remove all doubt over the final month.

“Quarterback evaluation is incredibly difficult,” an AFC scout told NBC Sports Chicago. “Teams miss all the time for all sorts of reasons. Caleb and Drake are already getting dinged. Who knows if they’ll pan out? One guy is undersized and holds the ball too long. The other was inconsistent. You have a guy with special ability. If you can get him to play at a high-level week-in and week-out, then you’ll have teams who don’t have a Justin Fields calling you with the world to move up.”

If Fields makes the questions about his future evaporate with a near-perfect final month, Poles and the Bears will have a lot of different avenues to travel without having to focus on a quarterback.

They can trade down once or twice, pick up more draft capital, and still draft two blue-chip players to give Fields more support. Adding Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and potentially Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers would complete the Bears’ transformation from offensive outhouse to dynamic attack.

That’s the dream scenario. As much as teams, scouts, and pundits have drooled over Williams for three years, the Bears’ preference should be for Fields to put it all together, delivering them quarterback certainty and a draft gift that can be rocket fuel for a rebuild that’s on the right track.

Don’t look now, but Fields is starting to do just that.

After going 19-for-33 for 223 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Lions, Fields has now completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 609 yards and two touchdowns since returning from injury. It is the first time in his career that he has gone three straight games without throwing an interception.

Fields has rushed 42 times for 221 yards and one touchdown in those three games. He has been sacked eight times and fumbled three times.

Per CBS Sports, Fields now has a higher passer rating than Trevor Lawrence (91.8), a higher touchdown-to-interception ratio than Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen (2.2), and is averaging more rushing yards per game than Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson (50.9).

Fields got off to a rough start Sunday. At halftime, he had just 52 net passing yards and had completed just four passes. But something clicked in the second half, and Fields showed high-level quarterback play when he got the Lions to jump offsides on a fourth-and-13 and used the free play to hit DJ Moore for a 38-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.

“To me, the poise has looked a lot better of late, especially when things break down. He’s not panicking. He seems to be putting it all together,” an NFC scout told NBC Sports Chicago.

There are still things for Fields to clean up. A hot streak doesn’t make him infallible. He was the first to admit Sunday that he still is holding onto the ball too long and inviting pressure. That also invites disaster for a quarterback who is still working on cleaning up his ball security. He also missed a few open throws, including what would have been a walk-in touchdown in the flat during the second half.

All that is true.

But Fields also threw with anticipation and trusted Moore and tight end Cole Kmet to make plays in tight coverage.

Early on this season, Fields wasn’t pulling the trigger on “NFL open” throws. He was waiting for receivers to be wide open and missed several big-play opportunities in the process.

The talent has never been an issue with Fields. He has a big arm and rare athleticism. The potential of blending those two together is what had him as the No. 2 quarterback in his class for three years until a weird draft slide that was brought on by dings not rooted in reality.

Young quarterbacks often need time and patience. Fields entered into the worst situation imaginable and has, to his credit, survived and started to thrive in spite of it.

It hasn’t been perfect. Quarterback development isn’t linear. Too often, teams give up on young quarterbacks early in the process when all that’s required is time and a plan to get them to harness their potential.

A month ago, it looked like Fields’ NFL career was destined to blossom outside of Chicago. But with the Bears about to lock up the No. 1 pick, Fields has started to become the quarterback who was promised.

He can open up a world of possibilities for Poles if that continues through the end of the season. There’s a sense the tide could be turning in Fields’ favor with the season winding down.

“When it’s right, it’s very right,” another league source told NBC Sports Chicago. “He’s starting to look like the guy many people had on equal footing with [Trevor Lawrence] in the draft. If that’s who he is going to be consistently, then you don’t really have a decision to make. You don’t trade proven for potential. But he has to prove it to pass up [Williams or Maye]. The question is: As good as he’s looked lately, is it too late to remove all doubt? He still has to do a lot to look past the ability to go younger, cheaper, and healthier with an elite talent at the position. But he’s got the talent to make it a more difficult decision than it looked like it was going to be month ago.”

With four games left, the wind has started blowing in a different direction as it pertains to Fields’ future.

It’s a breeze that could deliver Poles and the Bears everything they need heading into a transformational offseason.

What the Bears do with the No. 1 overall pick if the Panthers continue their path to the NFL’s worst record will be the subject of debate for months to come. Should they stand pat with Justin Fields and build around him? Or should they select a new rookie to reset the clock on their rebuild?

We’re going to explore that second route in this mock draft.

As always, this mock draft is not an attempt to predict what the Bears will actually do when they’re back in the War Room next offseason. That’s impossible. Nor is it meant as a recommendation of what the Bears should do. This mock draft is meant as an opportunity to dig into some of the intriguing college prospects this season, and how those players may fit in Chicago.

NO. 1: CALEB WILLIAMS – QUARTERBACK – USC

Last year, Ryan Poles passed on picking a new quarterback and traded away the No. 1 pick for a DJ Moore and a bounty of other draft selections. He can’t resist the opportunity to add a young, talented QB again, though. There are reasons to believe Justin Fields can succeed as an NFL quarterback, but he’ll need to be paid a hefty contract soon, and the Bears aren’t quite ready to contend for Super Bowls yet. So Poles opts to trade Fields, draft Williams and give the Bears more runway to win with a QB on a rookie deal.

Williams has all the same big-play upside that Fields brings to the offense. He’s a threat to score with his legs, has a top notch deep ball and can turn busted plays into explosive gains with his off-script improvisations. Ball security issues cropped up with nine fumbles this season, but over the breadth of his career Williams has taken very good care of the football. He’s also effective working as a rhythm and timing passer. There’s a reason he’s one of the most highly-touted quarterback prospects since Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence came out in 2020 and 2021.

NO. 7: JER’ZHAN NEWTON – DEFENSIVE TACKLE – ILLINOIS

The best defensive lines in the NFL come at you in waves, and the Bears’ success on defense starts with their front four. Whether or not Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens develop as the Bears hope, they’ll want to continue adding young talent to the interior of their defensive line.

Newton is a dynamic three-tech who can help plug up holes in the run game and dent the pocket in the pass rush. His eight sacks rank tied for second in the nation among all interior linemen, his 44 total pressures are third, and his 15.5% pass rush win rate ranks fourth among all interior linemen with at least 200 pass rush snaps. His 25 run stops ranks tied for sixth.

NO. 71: BILLY BOWMAN JR. – SAFETY – OKLAHOMA

If the Bears have concerns about Eddie Jackson’s foot that kept him out of five games in 2022 and five games this year, they could look to replace him as early as next season. In that case they’ll need someone with ballhawking skills to take his place in the back end of the defense. Bowman Jr. has displayed the ranginess, instincts and ball skills required to play free safety and has the production to back it up with nine interceptions over the past two seasons. He also swipes at the ball while tackling in a manner that Bears coaches preach to force fumbles. Beyond the ball production, Bowman Jr. shows a willingness to contribute in the run game when asked to play at the line of scrimmage. He has seven TFLs dating back to 2021.

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The Bears’ second-year safety has been a vocal critic of how NFL officials allow opposing defenses to hit quarterback Justin Fields late without penalty. The Bears have sent numerous examples to the league office, but Fields continues to get popped after the whistle.

It happened again on the first play of Sunday’s 28-13 win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Fields took off on a quarterback run and slid before being hit late by Lions linebacker Jack Campbell. There was no flag despite Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus’ protest.

Brisker has seen enough.

“If it was us, they would be throwing it. It wouldn’t even be a reaction,” Brisker said Monday at Halas Hall. “They would just throw it. I think they should just treat him fair. He’s a quarterback. I know he’s 230, and he’s running a 4.3. But it doesn’t really matter. He’s still a quarterback, and we have to protect him. It’s disappointing.

“Obviously, the other team is being told to do dirty stuff after the play — hit him like this, a certain way. It’s obviously being told just by the way they have been treating him these last couple weeks. A lot of shots to the head. It’s very disappointing seeing a guy like that take hits like that. One of those hits, god forbid, could be something very bad. I think the league needs to get on that and notice that it’s bad.”

Brisker noted that the Bears see teams on film trying to do little things to knock Fields out, and the league needs to take action.

“You can just tell, just from the other team,” Brisker said. “Coach Flus, he doesn’t tell us to do anything like that. You can just tell just the way they hit him after the play. They just try — you can just tell how they are trying to tug and how they are trying to do whatever they can to get him out the game. It’s obvious. It’s obvious. All them head shots. All of them late hits. Trying to mess with his hands and things like that. It’s obvious. The league just has to protect the quarterback and we’re going to protect ours at all times.”

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Eberflus noted Monday that he let the official Sunday hear it after Campbell wasn’t flagged for hitting Fields late on the opening offensive play. Eberflus said the Bears have a couple plays they are turning into the league as they hope to get Fields the same treatment that other star quarterbacks receive.

Fields has said he will keep asking the officials for the calls. Three weeks ago in Detroit, Fields was repeatedly hit either late or in the head, but no flags were thrown. Fields went to the officials to alert them to the late hits and other antics the Lions’ defenders were engaging in, but his pleas were disregarded.

“That’s just what the Lions do — they play hard,” Fields said after the loss to the Lions in Week 11. “We knew that coming in that week, the kind of effort and toughness and grit they play with. Their head coach preaches that. We kinda knew it was gonna be that type of game. I was talking to the ref and just asked, like telling him like, ‘Yo, just watch out. Heads up for a late hit’ or something like that. I guess I didn’t get any. Keep playing ball and control what I can control.”

Fields has only received five roughing the passer or unnecessary roughness calls in the past two seasons. All of them came last year, with two coming in the season-opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

For comparison, Josh Allen has gotten four roughing-the-passer calls this season to lead the NFL. Lions quarterback Jared Goff received six last season.

Fields has received just one roughing the passer call and four unnecessary roughness penalties in his last 24 starts. Once again, all of them came last year.

The Bears will keep pleading their case to the league, hoping Fields gets the same respect that other quarterbacks do around the league one day.

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To cut to the chase, the answer is yes.

The Bears currently sit at 5-8, good for 12th place in the NFC. If the Packers lose to the Giants on Monday, then five teams will be tied for seventh place with a 6-7 record– the Packers, Rams, Seahawks, Falcons and Saints– and the Bears would be just one game behind that pack. That’s important since the seven seed is the final playoff spot. If the Packers win, however, the Bears would be two games behind the Packers and Vikings, who would be tied with a 7-6 record.

If you want to get crazy, the Bears are technically still in contention for an NFC North title. If the Bears win out, they’ll finish with a 9-8 record. If the Lions lose out, they’ll also finish at 9-8. From there, tiebreakers take over. The Bears and Lions split their head-to-head matchups, so next up would be the teams’ respective win percentages against the NFC North. As things stand, the Bears are 2-3 against their division rivals with one game remaining. The Lions are 2-2 against NFC North opponents with two games remaining.

But the fact of the matter is talking playoffs now is a little crazy.

Check this. Per NFL.com, between 1990 and the start of this season, 103 teams started the year with an 0-4 record. Of those 103 teams, only one made the playoffs: the 1992 San Diego Chargers. The Chargers ended up 11-5 that year and lost to the Dolphins 31-0 in the Divisional Round.

Not great odds for the Bears after their disastrous start to the season.

Yes, the Bears have played better football lately, and with such little joy over the past two years for Bears fans it’s worth celebrating. But a two-game win streak is typically not a high bar for NFL franchises. Yes, the Bears have separated themselves from the truly awful teams in the NFL, but they’re still not contenders in the conference.

With a month to go it’s fun to dream, but keep in mind that the Bears have five teams between them and a playoff berth. That’s a lot of ground to make up to earn a postseason bid.

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The weekend ended with the Dallas Cowboys announcing themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders by dismantling the Philadelphia Eagles on “Sunday Night Football.” With four weeks to go, the 49ers, Eagles, and Cowboys all sit atop the NFC at 10-3.

Over in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens survived a scare against the Los Angeles Rams while Jake Browning continued to cook in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes’ frustration boiled over in Kansas City as a critical offensive offsides call wiped a would-be game-winning touchdown off the board in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Bengals.

In Chicago, the Bears came off the bye and manhandled the division-leading Detroit Lions. With Justin Fields playing exceptional football and the defense humming, the Bears believe they can run the table and crash the playoff party.

For now, a rise in the power rankings will have to do.

CHICAGO BEARS

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Here’s where each team stands after Week 14:

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-3): Brock Purdy averaged career highs of 10.5 air yards per pass and per completion in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks. Imagine if he could throw the ball downfield. The 49ers have been dismantling teams for over a month, and they still have another level to reach. Your Super Bowl favorite by a mile.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-3): The Cowboys showed they could beat one of the league’s best by dominating the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles are banged up, but this is a game past Cowboys teams would have lost. Dallas is for real.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3): Philadelphia has been dominated in back-to-back weeks, and the Eagles’ cracks are starting to show at the worst possible time.
4. Baltimore Ravens (10-3): Tylan Wallace’s game-winning 76-yard punt return might wind up being what gets the Ravens the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Baltimore faces the Jaguars, 49ers, and Dolphins in the next three weeks, so they couldn’t afford to drop Sunday’s game against the Rams..
5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5): The suddenly sliding Chiefs took two Ls on Sunday. The first came on the field to the Buffalo Bills. The second came during the postgame aftermath when head referee Carl Cheffers scorched the Chiefs for their postgame complaints over the offensive offsides call on Kadarius Toney. “Certainly, no warning is required, especially if they are lined up so far offsides where they’re actually blocking our view of the ball,” Cheffers said of Toney. Case closed.
6. Miami Dolphins (9-4): The Titans exposed some cracks in Miami’s armor on Monday night. Tyreek Hill covers up a lot but you’re only as good as your weakest point in the postseason. On Monday, Miami’s offensive line was a problem in pass pro and things got worse once Connor Williams left.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-6): Just like that, the Bills are right back in the thick of the playoff hunt. Buffalo still has a tough road ahead, but Sunday’s win was a must.
8. Cleveland Browns (8-5): On Sunday, Joe Flacco became the first Browns quarterback since Brian Sipe in 1980 to throw three touchdown passes over 30 yards in a game. The elite 38-year-old quarterback can still sling the pill.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5): The Jags sacked Flacco just once Sunday and allowed him to throw for 311 yards. The offense also looked out of sync with Christian Kirk sidelined. Jacksonville dodged a bullet with Trevor Lawrence’s ankle sprain, but there are problems to be solved in Duval.
10.  Detroit Lions (9-4): The Lions’ defense continues to leak all over the place. Detroit allowed Justin Fields to rush for 58 yards and throw for 223 as the Bears physically overpowered the Lions on the lakefront. Four weeks ago, the Lions were seen as a legitimate Super Bowl threat. No longer.
11. Houston Texans (7-6): The Texans’ feel-good story might be nearing its conclusion. Houston was already without rookie receiver Tank Dell, tight end Dalton Schultz, and offensive tackle Tytus Howard before losing Nico Collins to a hamstring injury in the first quarter Sunday. Quarterback C.J. Stroud also left the game with a head injury. Sometimes the injuries are too much to overcome.
12.  Denver Broncos (7-6): Earlier this season, the Broncos’ defense was in complete disarray, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was on borrowed time. But Denver’s defense has turned it around, allowing just 12 touchdowns in their last eight games while recording 18 takeaways. At 7-6, the once much-maligned defense might carry Russell Wilson and Sean Payton to the playoffs.
13.  Cincinnati Bengals (7-6): The Bengals have scored 30 points with Jake Browning at quarterback in back-to-back games. Maybe Cincy isn’t dead after all.
14.  Los Angeles Rams (6-7): The Rams’ playoff chances took a hit with Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. But with only one game remaining against a team with a winning record, their destiny is still in front of them.
15. Green Bay Packers (6-7): Jordan Love is ascending but he and the Packers still have some kinks to work out after their Monday night loss to Tommy DeVito and the Giants.
16.  Indianapolis Colts (7-6): Indianapolis still has a manageable schedule ahead of it, with games against the Steelers, Falcons, Raiders, and Texans ahead. But the Colts’ alarming lack of pass-rush production against the Bengals on Sunday is reason for concern. It feels like it’s about time for Gardner Minshew and Shane Steichen to do us a favor and exit the playoff picture as soon as possible.
17.  Minnesota Vikings (7-6): So much for the offensive adjustments Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell promised would fit Joshua Dobbs’ strengths. Nick Mullens saved the Vikings on Sunday. That’s not a good sign for their playoff hopes.
18.  Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Mitchell Trubisky finally got the Bears a win by rolling over against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Chicago might have the No. 1 pick locked up by Christmas at this rate.
19.  Seattle Seahawks (6-7): The Seahawks entered this gauntlet four-game stretch hoping to tread water by going 2-2. They have lost the first three, and it’s unclear if Geno Smith will be able to play next week. The clock is about to strike midnight on the Seahawks’ playoff chances.
20. Chicago Bears (5-8): It would have been impossible to imagine the Bears being in this position in early October. Give Matt Eberflus all the credit for keeping the group together and crafting a defense that the Bears feel is near elite. It has certainly been playing like it over the last few games. If the Bears can knock off the Browns next week, the playoff talk will start to carry weight.
21. Tampa Bay Bucs (6-7): We’re going to group the NFC South teams together. I’ve liked the Bucs the best all season. They have the best quarterback of the three and the best playmaker. Give me Baker down the stretch.
22. Atlanta Falcons (6-7): Good news for the Falcons: The Panthers are up next on the schedule. The bad news? Atlanta is capable of losing to anyone.
23. New Orleans Saints (6-7): OK, so maybe Derek Carr isn’t the savior the Saints thought he was. (We tried to tell you.)
24. New York Jets (5-8): Zach Wilson played with an edge Sunday and authored what might be the best game of his career. Wilson played free, especially when the Jets let him throw on early downs. Where the hell was this earlier in the season?
25. Los Angeles Chargers (5-8): There’s nowhere left for the Chargers to go but to write a blank check for Jim Harbaugh.
26. New York Giants (5-8): Tommy DeVito is the quarterback the Giants need in this moment. We have officially lost contain on DeVito-mania.
27. Tennessee Titans (5-8): I think this Will Levis thing might work out for the Titans.
28.  Las Vegas Raiders (5-8): Aidan O’Connell isn’t the long-term answer in Las Vegas. I don’t think Antonio Pierce is, either. Another blank slate coming for the Silver and Black.
29.  Washington Commanders (4-9): Perhaps the Commanders can use their bye week to find a way to get Terry McLaurin involved in the offense. Or the coaching staff can just have their agents leak that other teams are interested in hiring them after the season. It’s a race to get off the sinking rowboat in D.C.
30.  Arizona Cardinals (3-10): The Cardinals got a massive win on their bye week as the Patriots’ victory over the Steelers brought them back into a tie for the No. 2 overall pick.
31.  New England Patriots (3-10): Ezekiel Elliott looked like the Zeke of old on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. A refreshed Zeke should have some value on the free-agent market this offseason.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-12): Bryce Young has little chance to grow under this interim coaching staff. All he can hope to do is survive and not develop bad habits that tank his promising career.

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The Bears outplayed the Lions three weeks ago in Detroit. They had a 12-point lead with four minutes to play and blew it. They entered the fourth quarter of last year’s home game against the Lions up 14. They lost that one as well.

The Bears jumped out to an early 10-0 lead Sunday before a failed fourth-and-1 pitch to DJ Moore swung the momentum back in the Lions’ favor. Detroit scored 13 unanswered to take a 13-10 lead into halftime.

In the past, the Bears would have been unable to regain the momentum, and things would have snowballed.

Sunday was different.

The Bears’ defense put the screws to the Lions’ offense, holding them to 76 yards in the second half while forcing three turnovers.

Quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears’ offense broke a 13-13 tie with a 38-yard, free-play touchdown strike to Moore, giving the Bears a 19-13 lead that they never relinquished. Fields added an 11-yard touchdown run later in the second half to put the Bears up 12. That was all she wrote.

Sunday was the first time the Bears have won back-to-back games in the Eberflus era. It was a win that highlighted continued defensive growth and a quarterback playing his best football since returning from a thumb injury.

CHICAGO BEARS

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That’s where this statement-win report card leads off:

Passing offense

The passing game might as well have been going in reverse in the first half.

At halftime, Fields had 52 net passing yards, four completions, and had been sacked three times on 14 dropbacks.

But Fields found something in the second half. He made several anticipatory throws, including a critical third-down conversion to tight end Cole Kmet. Linebacker Alex Anzalone blanketed Kmet, but Fields threw it before the tight end got out of his break and put it where only Kmet could go up and get it.

Three plays later, Fields got defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to jump offsides on fourth-and-12. Center Lucas Patrick snapped the ball the minute Hutchinson came across, and Fields threw a dart to Moore down the left sideline for a 38-yard touchdown.

Fields finished the day 19-for-33 for 223 yards and one touchdown.

Despite a decent day at the office, Fields and Kmet noted the Bears’ offense could have put 40 on the Lions had they executed properly for the entire game.

Fields was critical of some of his misses after the win.

“The dagger to DJ, I’m still sick about that one late in the game,” Fields said. “I think, the third-and-short to Mooney could have been executed a little better. It was a great play call. Got exactly what we thought we would get.”

Fields also noted after the game that many of the hits and pressures Sunday were the product of him not getting to his checkdown fast enough or not throwing the ball away.

After not targeting Moore in the first half, the Bears targeted the star wide receiver 10 times in the second half. He caught six passes for 68 yards.

The Bears continue to struggle to get Darnell Mooney involved. He had just two catches for 44 yards.

Justin Fields GRADE: B
Team GRADE: B

Rushing offense

Fields entered the game having eclipsed 100 yards on the ground in each of his last three games against the Lions. The third-year quarterback picked up 28 on the ground on the opening drive but finished with just 58 after two kneeldowns to end the game.

A healthy D’Onta Foreman returned and picked up 50 yards on 11 carries. Khalil Herbert gained just 8 yards on three carries.

The Bears’ best running play came when offensive coordinator Luke Getsy split Fields out wide and had Moore take the direct snap. Fields faked as if he was going to take the handoff on a reverse, but Moore kept it and got the corner, sauntering 16 yards for the Bears’ first touchdown.

The Bears’ ground game wasn’t at its best Sunday, but it was effective enough to keep the Lions’ defense guessing, and the Moore wrinkle is enough to earn a decent mark.

GRADE: B-

Passing defense

Three weeks ago, the Bears’ defense picked off Lions quarterback Jared Goff three times and had the Lions in a corner with four minutes to go.

But Goff and the Lions’ potent offense engineered two quick touchdown drives to break the Bears’ hearts in Detroit.

There wasn’t a repeat Sunday.

Goff went 20-for-35 for 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on Sunday. The Bears held wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to three catches for 21 yards and gave up just two catches for 23 yards to tight end Sam LaPorta.

The Bears’ pass rush notched three sacks and nine quarterback hurries as they once again got the better of the Lions’ talented offensive line.

Detroit has one of the best offenses in the NFL, and the Bears’ pass defense completely shut them down outside of two drives.

No notes.

GRADE: A+

Run defense

The only offensive success Detroit found Sunday came on the ground.

The Lions rushed for 140 yards on 24 carries (5.8 yards per carry), with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs picking up six or more yards per tote.

Gibbs’ electric rushing helped the pendulum swing back in Detroit’s favor in the second quarter, but the Bears’ defense was able to hold them to just 37 yards on the ground in the second half.

It didn’t start out pretty, but the Bears made the necessary defensive adjustments to keep the Lions from winning the game on the ground.

The Bears entered the game with the NFL’s top-ranked run defense. This grade will look low, but it’s based on the bar they have set.

GRADE: C+

Coaching

Eberflus and his defensive staff came up with a great defensive game plan, and their halftime tweaks were flawless.

On the offensive side, Getsy gets a ding for the fourth-and-1 pitch to Moore. I liked Eberflus’ aggressiveness in going for it, but the play call left a lot to be desired.

Other than that, there’s little to nitpick from the first signature win of the Eberflus era.

GRADE: B+

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Now, for the first time since Matt Eberflus took over as head coach, the team has won two games in a row. And Eberflus and the players alike took the development as a sign that they’re doing things the right way.

“It’s just like anything. You want to see the proof of it,” Eberflus said. “To have a win like this, it’s proof for (the players), it’s proof for the staff, it’s proof for Chicago Bears fans.”

“It basically just shows us the formula of winning,” said Justin Fields. “Takeaways, explosive plays, third down conversions, stuff like that… As long as we focus on those aspects, those situations, we’re more likely gonna win a game than lose a game.”

The biggest improvement has come on Eberflus’ side of the ball: the defense. The team has gone from fielding one of the worst run defenses in the league to one of the best in just one season. The team still allows some of the most points scored in the league, but it’s improved from 27.2 points per game in 2022 to 23.8 points per game this year. Over their past four games, they’ve been much better, surrendering just 16.8 points on average.

“The last three or four games that we’ve played, the defense has played really freaking well,” said Justin Jones. “Obviously, last time we played Detroit, we just didn’t finish. That’s a helluva team over there. A helluva team over there. We just gotta make sure we play 60 minutes.”

That was the prevailing thought in the locker room after their loss to the Lions in Week 11. The Lions didn’t do anything special to win that game. The Bears let them off the hook with mistakes they made. They were supremely confident in their ability to beat the Lions, they just had to do their jobs well and avoid self-inflicted wounds.

That’s exactly what they did on Sunday, and after the game Jaylon Johnson said the defense’s confidence is at an all-time high.

“We’ve been doing a heckuva job keeping teams out of the endzone, a heckuva job on third downs getting off the field, getting sacks, getting turnovers,” Johnson said. “Overall, we’re confident.”

Ryan Poles deserves his share of the credit for the turnaround with his gutsy trade for Montez Sweat. The new defensive end has made a remarkable impact on the unit with his effective pass rush and high-pressure rates. Sweat’s presence not only allows Eberflus to call a game to his liking with fewer blitzes and more guys dropping back into coverage, it also creates better opportunities for his teammates on the line and in the secondary.

Since teams need to focus on Sweat, others on the DL draw more one-on-ones. His pressure also pushes quarterbacks and ball carriers into other Bears players. Further, he speeds up the clock for opposing quarterbacks, which forces more bad throws and gives the guys playing behind the line more chances for interceptions. Before the Sweat trade, the Bears had six interceptions over eight games. Since the Sweat trade, they have had nine interceptions over five games.

“The players that we brought in, everybody is trusting each other, playing for one another, loving each other,” said Jaquan Brisker. “The coaches have been great. They’ve been locked in. The buy-in has been pretty good.”

“I think it’s a big deal,” said Eberflus. “It’s been a long time coming to win two in a row, and it’s two division opponents, which is big. The guys are super excited, and we could feel this coming. With the improvements that were happening over time, I was telling them, ‘If you keep doing it right, it’s gonna be right, and good things are going to happen.’”

Good things finally did happen after plenty of bad things over the past year and a half. That’s not to say that the Bears have just flipped a switch and are ready to push for the playoffs from here on out. There will still be bumps in the road because growth is never linear. But Eberflus praised the Bears for sticking together through adversity to reach this humble two-game win streak, and there’s no reason to believe the team will fall apart when they hit adversity again. That’s a real testament to players, coaches, and personnel staff alike.

“The guys always stayed together,” said Eberflus. “There was never a point where the morale was bad.”

Moving forward, the win against the Lions is finally a bit of positive reinforcement for a team that has had close to none recently. Again, it’s giving them confidence that they’re building their young team the right way.

“Keep everything the same,” Fields said. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. There’s still a lot of spots to improve upon.

“I expect nothing for us but to keep coming together, keep getting better, and just keep working.”

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That difference was highlighted Sunday on the most critical play of the Bears’ 28-13 win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

With the game tied at 13 midway through the third quarter, the Bears lined up to go for a fourth-and-13 at the Lions’ 38-yard line.

“I don’t think so,” left tackle Braxton Jones said after the game when asked if the Bears were planning to run a play.

“No, it was supposed to be a freeze play,” wide receiver DJ Moore echoed.

Quarterback Justin Fields walked to the line and called out a protection change. Left guard Teven Jenkins started making protection calls. Tight end Cole Kmet looked over to wide receiver Darnell Mooney and made a check.

All fake. Improv.

“I thought the line did a good job selling the protection adjustment,” Kmet said. “I looked out to Mooney like we were going to switch routes or whatever, and they bought it.”

Sure enough, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson came across the line, and that’s where the preparation took over. Once Hutchinson crossed the line, center Lucas Patrick snapped the ball, and Moore beelined for the end zone.

“Fourth-and-13, hell of a cadence,” Kmet said. “I thought, no way in hell they are jumping. They jumped. I don’t know how you could jump in that situation, but they did.

“I was shocked.”

Moore beat his man off the line, and the safety that was over the top didn’t come over initially. The line gave Fields good protection, and the quarterback threw a rope to Moore for a 38-yard touchdown to give the Bears a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“They bit on it,” Jones said. “I mean, it was cool to see. Tev had great communication there, ‘Go to this guy. Go to that guy,’ calling different things. We just got them to jump and then just got DJ to do DJ. You know, ‘Go DJ.’”

“Based off what they do, you either win or you go win,” Moore said.

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Fields’ strike to Moore on the free play allowed the Bears to recapture the momentum they lost early in the game.

Chicago jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead, but a failed fourth-and-1 play in the second quarter swung things back in the Lions’ favor. Detroit ripped off 13 points in a row to take a 13-10 lead into the half.

The game ground to a halt in the third quarter, with neither team able to gain an edge.

Prior to Fields’ free-play dart to Moore, the Bears’ quarterback converted a critical third-and-3 with an anticipatory throw to Kmet on the left sideline. The Bears lost 2 yards on the next three plays and were prepared to take a delay and punt from Lions territory.

But their preparation — and a Lions mistake — presented the Bears with an opportunity they couldn’t waste.

“We practice that all the time. I think it kind of comes second nature now,” Kmet said. “In a walk through and one of our scout team guys accidentally jumps, we’re always going into that. It’s something we’ve practiced a lot that has just kind of become second nature. I thought [Fields] had a hell of a cadence on that play. It sounded really good but I’m still shocked that they jumped.”

“We practice that each and every week. It was great execution by everyone,” Fields added.

The touchdown pass to Moore gave the Bears a 19-13 lead after a blocked PAT, and the defense did the rest, holding the Lions’ offense to 267 total yards while pitching a second-half shutout.

“Us hitting that shot to DJ, that was a big momentum-shifter,” Eberflus said after the win.

Everyone from Jenkins to Patrick and Moore gets credit for the seamless free-play execution.

But it was high-level quarterbacking from Fields to see Hutchinson jump and execute a play that wasn’t supposed to be without flinching.

“DJ is hard to cover,” Eberflus said. “He’s hard to cover when you got a guy over the top of him or when it’s just one guy on him like that. Really good throw. Really good catch. Really good reaction.”

“It was a hell of a cadence and a hell of a throw to DJ,” Kmet said.

Fields said the key to the play was approaching everything, from cadence to protection calls, like a normal play.

Once Hutchinson came across, the rest was easy.

“When he jumped, I was like, ‘Shoot, I’m out,” Moore said. “I’m like, ‘meep meep.’”

Moore cruised into the end zone, delivering a right hook that staggered the Lions — one the NFC North leaders never recovered from.

The win marked the first time the Bears have won back-to-back games in the Eberflus era. At 5-8, the Bears believe they are firmly in the playoff picture.

But they had to win Sunday.

Preparation, execution, and a dime from Fields knocked the Lions out and gave the Bears a statement win they hope can be the springboard for more.

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They’ve just let them off the hook in the fourth quarter.

Three weeks ago, the Bears blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead in Detroit. They were champing at the bit to get another shot at the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field.

The Bears jumped on the Lions early but let them crawl back to take the lead heading into halftime.

But Sunday’s game was not going to be the latest in a line of Bears’ letdowns against the division-rival Lions.

Chicago’s defense bowed up in the second half, and quarterback Justin Fields struck with his arm and legs in the second half to lead the Bears to a 28-13 win that moved them to 5-8 on the season and was the first time they have won consecutive games under head coach Matt Eberflus.

Fields went 19-for-33 for 223 yards and one touchdown while also adding 58 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, the Bears’ defense suffocated a normally potent Lions offense, holding them to 267 total yards and forcing three turnovers.

The Bears were confident coming into the game. They were adamant not only that they were better than the Lions but that they could go on a late run to the playoffs. A statement win Sunday was the first step in that plan.

Fields and the defense made sure that box got checked. Now, they move on to Step 2.

Here’s what we learned in the Bears’ 28-13 win vs. the Lions:

Clean script

The Bears won the opening toss and elected to take the ball against a Lions defense that has been struggling mightily for over a month.

On third-and-3 from their own 38-yard line, Fields dropped back and felt pressure. The quarterback stepped up in the pocket and took off for a gain of 13.

Fields entered the game having rushed for over 100 yards in each of his last three games against the Lions. He ripped off 28 yards on the ground on the opening series before offensive coordinator Luke Getsy busted out a new wrinkle inside the red zone.

The Bears split Fields out wide and brought wide receiver DJ Moore in to take the snap. Moore took the snap and ran left. He faked a pitch back to Fields, hit the corner, and raced 16 yards untouched for an opening touchdown.

Momentum killer

The Bears dominated the first quarter-plus of Sunday’s game. They led 10-0 and had the chance to add to it after Jaylon Johnson picked off Jared Goff on fourth down.

Fields and the Bears’ offense moved the ball down to the Lions’ 40-yard line, where they faced a critical third-and-3. The Bears opted for a quarterback draw, but Fields was stopped after a gain of 2.

The Bears rolled the dice on fourth-and-1, but the play-call left a lot to be desired. The Bears lined Moore up in the backfield and opted to pitch it to him, but Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu sniffed it out and popped Moore short of the line.

With the momentum pendulum starting to swing back their way, the Lions’ offense marched 61 yards on nine plays, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs capping off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. A missed PAT made it 10-6 Bears midway through the second quarter.

The Bears’ offense needed to string a drive together before half to halt the Lions’ momentum. That didn’t happen.

The Bears went three-and-out, and the Lions’ offense closed the half with an 11-play, 53-yard touchdown drive to take a 13-10 lead at halftime.

Chicago flushed a brilliant quarter-plus of play down the drain in the final 7:04 of the half, and it all started with a failed fourth-and-1 pitch to Moore.

Free play magic

The Bears entered the second half down 13-10 but tied up early in the third quarter.

After the two teams exchanged a few punts, Fields and the Bears’ offense retook command.

On third-and-3 from the Lions’ 43, Fields dropped back and fired left toward a covered Cole Kmet. The Bears tight end climbed the ladder and made an impressive catch to move the chains.

The Bears went backward on the following three plays but lined up to go for it on fourth-and-12.

Fields got the Lions to jump offsides and then took advantage of the free play. Fields saw Moore had a step on his man and ripped a dot to the star receiver for a 38-yard touchdown.

The Lions blocked the Bears’ point after attempt, but Chicago’s defense quickly got the ball back when linebacker T.J. Edwards recovered a fumbled snap by Goff.

The Bears took over at the Lions’ 29-yard line, and Fields punched it into the end zone with an 11-yard run five plays later to give the Bears a 25-13 lead.

The ballad of Justin Fields

Sunday was the full Fields experience.

The third-year quarterback tormented the Lions with his legs early but could not get the passing game in a flow in the first half. At halftime, Fields had four completions and had been sacked three times on 13 dropbacks.

In the second half, Fields made several anticipatory throws to move the chains and struck on the free play to give the Bears the lead.

There was no better encapsulation of Fields’ ups and downs than on the Bears’ drive after the Goff fumble. Fields missed a wide-open touchdown throw in the flat, then turned around on the next play and raced 11 yards for a scoring strike.

With these final five games potentially setting the tone of the Bears’ offseason quarterback plan, Fields’ second half was a window into what is possible. If the Bears can get that to be the four-quarter norm — Getsy owns a big role in that — that will open up a multitude of options this offseason with Fields entrenched as the starting quarterback.

If they can’t, then tough decisions loom.

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STUDS

JUSTIN FIELDS

As he has throughout his career, Fields hurt the Lions with both his arm and his legs on Sunday. Luke Getsy set the tone early by dialing up a Fields designed run on the first offensive play of the game. Two snaps later Fields escaped pressure on to convert on a third down with a nifty scramble. In the pass game, Fields was largely accurate and uncorked some throws with the anticipation that’s been missing at times. He also completed several impressive crossfield throws after extending the play behind the line of scrimmage. The fourth-and-12 touchdown to a streaking DJ Moore was the icing on the cake. A perfect throw to his top wide receiver, in stride, for a score. Fields finished the day 19-33 for 223 yards, one TD and no interceptions with 12 carries for 58 rushing yards and another score.

JAYLON JOHNSON

Johnson’s quest for All-Pro recognition continued with another great performance against the Lions. He essentially shut down whoever he covered throughout the game and surrendered no big catches. Further, he reeled in his fourth interception of the season with an athletic, full-extension grab. Johnson was in position to come away with another pick in the third quarter, but Jaquan Brisker got his hands on the ball and knocked it away first.

MONTEZ SWEAT

It feels repetitive to have Sweat listed as a stud practically every week, but seems to continually find ways to make his presence felt. Sweat knocked Jared Goff around often, with five QB hits and one sack. He got his hands on a ball for PBU as well. It won’t show up on the stat sheet, but one of Sweat’s most impressive plays of the game came on the defense’s fourth-and-one stuff in the fourth quarter. Sweat immediately created pressure in the backfield with a strong push, which forced Jahmyr Gibbs to kick the ball outside and into the arms of Jack Sanborn. Another great game for the defensive end.

TRENT TAYLOR / PUNT RETURN TEAM

The Bears brought Taylor in this season to provide reliability in the punt return game, and he’s delivered all year. However, the Bears haven’t been able to put together many explosive returns. On Sunday, Taylor had his best game of the season with some help from the blockers in front of him. His second return of the day went for a season-high 15 yards. One return later, Taylor doubled that with a 31-yarder. Those returns helped to set up the offense in good spots and helped the team with the field position battle overall.

DUDS

INTERIOR LINEMEN

Overall, Fields had time to operate in the passing game– and when he didn’t there were escape routes through the A gaps. But when there was a breakdown, it typically occurred from somewhere in the middle of the line. Early in the game, Nate Davis whiffed on an Aidan Hutchinson handoff that led to a sack. Teven Jenkins was bullied for another sack and other pressures. Finally, Lucas Patrick was flagged for a critical holding when the Bears started building momentum in the third quarter. The penalty erased a 24-yard completion to Cole Kmet and led to an eventual three-and-out.

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Justin Fields and Co. have won back-to-back games, defeating the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to improve to 5-8 on the season and keep their playoff hopes alive. Fields had a passing touchdown and rushing touchdown in Week 13, while the Bears’ defense stifled Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense.

Week 15 offers the Bears a chance to get their first three-game winning streak since 2020. Standing in their way are the Cleveland Browns and a resurgent Joe Flacco.

The Browns are 8-5 and squarely in a crowded AFC playoff picture despite starting four different quarterbacks this season. The 38-year-old Flacco turned back the clock in Week 14, throwing three touchdown passes in a home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Will the Bears keep up their winning ways, or will the Browns send them back to the loss column? Here is how you can watch the Week 15 Bears-Browns contest.

When is the Bears vs. Browns Week 15 game?

The Bears will visit the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday, Dec. 17.

What time is the Bears vs. Browns Week 15 game?

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.

How to watch Bears vs. Browns Week 15

Bears-Lions will air on FOX.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Football Aftershow will begin immediately following the game. Ruthie Polinsky will be joined by Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Dave Wannstedt to break down how the Bears fared against the Browns.

How to stream the Bears vs. Browns live online

Free streaming option: FuboTV (free trial)

Live stream: FoxSports.com, NFL+

Mobile app: Fox Sports app, NFL mobile app

How to listen to Bears vs. Browns on the radio

Station: ESPN 1000

Editor’s note: FUBO TV is a sponsored partner and we may receive compensation if you click on our links or sign up.

Ngakoue came up with some key plays against the Lions on Sunday, including a sack on a neat play. The Bears drew up an exotic pressure, with Tremaine Edmunds rushing from the second level and DeMarcus Walker dropping into coverage from the defensive tackle position. In the end, Ngakoue was able to win a one-on-one battle to bring down Lions QB Jared Goff.

Ngakoue added a TFL in addition to the sack.

The Bears signed Ngakoue to a one-year deal this year in an effort to boost their lowly pass rush. He has four sacks, seven QB hits and six TFLs on the season.

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First, the Houston Texans and New York Jets were stuck in a 0-0 battle amid rainy conditions in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. The Jets finally broke the scoreless deadlock when Zach Wilson hit Randall Cobb for a 15-yard touchdown just under four minutes into the third quarter.

Scoring wasn’t a problem after that, particularly for the New York, as the Jets rolled to a 30-6 win.

Then, the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders went nearly all four quarters without a single score. But after quarterback Josh Dobbs was benched, backup Nick Mullens engineered a 13-play, 56-yard drive to set up a 36-yard field goal for Greg Joseph, who would give the Vikings a 3-0 lead with 1:57 remaining in regulation.

Those proved to be the only points of the contest, as Minnesota escaped Las Vegas with a 3-0 victory.

The Texans-Jets and Vikings-Raiders games marked the first time two NFL games were scoreless at the half on the same day since October of 1988.

But has there ever been a game that actually ended in a 0-0 tie?

What’s the lowest-scoring game in NFL history?

There have been 73 games in pro football history that ended in a 0-0 tie, according to Pro Football Reference. But it’s been 80 years since the last one, meaning there’s yet to be a scoreless tie in the Super Bowl era.

When was the last 0-0 tie in the NFL?

The most recent 0-0 tie came on Nov. 7, 1943, in a game played between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions. The two teams combined for nine first downs and 214 yards at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The game featured 77 running plays and 16 pass attempts. There was no overtime played, as the NFL wouldn’t add the extra period for another three decades.

The last 3-0 game, meanwhile, came in 2007 when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins.

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But while the Bears celebrated the win in their locker room after the game, they were sure not to put the performance on a pedestal.

“We ain’t do nothing yet,” said Jaquan Brisker. “It’s a great divisional win, but we ain’t do nothing yet. Defense has to get better. We’re 5-8 right now, so we gotta keep stacking ‘em one day at a time, one game at a time. We still ain’t do nothing yet.”

“We’re just keeping a little bit of momentum,” said Justin Jones.

To a man, the Bears said this was not a statement win even though everything else pointed to the contrary. They’re not satisfied with one win in December over a playoff-caliber team. They believe they have more work to do before they make a real statement.

“We’re just trying to get to the playoffs,” said Jaylon Johnson. “We know what we need to do to get to the playoffs. We’re just trying to do what we can and keep fighting, like we’ve been doing all season.”

Brisker, Jones and Johnson were key figures in the team’s second-half defensive surge. Brisker led the way with an incredible 17 tackles over the game. Jones notched one and a half sacks late in the fourth quarter to help the team seal the win. Johnson continued his campaign for his first All-Pro honors by snatching his fourth interception of the year.

Of course, Justin Fields’ dynamic game both through the air and on the ground played a huge role in the win. If the Bears have any hope of making a bigger statement later in the season, they’ll need him to be at his best for the rest of the year. But Fields also kept a level head after the win.

“Keep everything the same,” Fields said. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. There’s still a lot of spots to improve upon. We probably could’ve put up 40 if we executed better.”

Head coach Matt Eberflus has been steadfast in his 30 games leading the team, so it’s no surprise that he too cautioned against making too much of the win. Eberflus did say that the two-game win streak was proof positive that the team was on the right track, but emphasized that they need to stick on course.

“It’s not all rose-colored glasses just because you won the game,” Eberflus said. “That’s not it. You’ve got to learn from this game and get better.”

It’s hard to believe that the Bears have put themselves in a position to talk playoffs at all after last year’s league-worst 3-14 season and this year’s disastrous 0-4 start, but the Bears have played better. If the Packers lose on Monday night, then the Bears would be just one game back of five teams in line for the seven seed in the NFC with 6-7 records. A playoff berth is still unrealistic for the team, but they’ve legitimately played themselves onto the “In The Hunt” graphic that we see so often.

Whether or not a bigger statement comes this season, the Bears have already sent a memo to the football world that they’re far from being the worst team in the league again.

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The team announced Jefferson was ruled out for the rest of the game with a chest injury after the hit in the second quarter.

Jefferson, the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, was originally listed as questionable after taking a shot from safety Marcus Epps while going high to catch a 15-yard pass. There was no flag for hitting a defenseless receiver.

This was Jefferson’s first game back after missing the previous seven games because of a hamstring injury.

Jefferson made some team history before going out. He caught a 12-yard pass that moved him past Randy Moss for the most receiving yards by a Vikings player in his first four seasons. Moss had 5,396 yards from 1998-2001, and Jefferson is at 5,423.

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For context, the Carolina Panthers have a 1-12 record this season after losing their sixth straight game on Sunday. They have a two-game cushion over the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals for the top selection in the draft, which would convey to the Bears thanks to the trade that sent Carolina the No. 1 pick in 2023.

As for the Bears, they have four games left, and are the owners of a 5-8 record after consecutive wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Fields had another solid day on Sunday, throwing for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries, adding another rushing touchdown to his ledger.

In his last five full games, excluding the contest against Minnesota where he suffered a thumb injury, Fields has thrown for 1,226 yards, including 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He has completed 66.8% of his passes in those games.

 He has also rushed 57 times for 303 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Now, with the top pick growing more likely by the week and with just four games left in the regular season, what is Fields’ status with the team?

On NBC Sports Chicago’s “Football Aftershow,” the panel discussed that status, and they offered some cautious optimism.

“He did a great job. He did a really good job today,” Alex Brown said about Fields’ future. “I thought the offense was really good. Yes, we can win with that type of football that we saw today. Now we need to see it in back-to-back-to-back games.”

Dave Wannstedt said that Fields’ recent performance has been good, but still expressed caution due to the full body of his work.

“In his last 18 games, he’s thrown for 26 touchdowns and thrown 12 picks. And he’s rushed for 8 TDs. That’s over 4,000 yards his last 18 games,” he said. “That’s really good football. Is it Tom Brady football? No, but it’s really good football. There’s something there.

“Still, if you look at the whole body of work, he has 17 turnovers in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the most in the National Football League over that period of time,” he added.

The big key for the panel was how Fields compares to the top-available quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. That will likely include USC quarterback Caleb Williams and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, but Brown cited Fields’ playmaking ability, on display on his lead-extending rushing touchdown, as something he holds over both Williams and Maye.

“When people tell me where the kids that are coming out of college aren’t as good as him, those kids can’t do that,” he said. “Maybe (Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden) Daniels from LSU can make that run to the pylon and score, but Caleb, he’s not going to do that. Drake Maye is not going to do that. He is a dynamic player.”

Lance Briggs said that Fields’ ability to withstand pressure and impacts in the pocket also give him a positive feeling about his future.  

“I think of Ben Roethlisberger,” he said. “One of his strengths is that a guy can be hanging on him, trying to tackle him and he’ll sit there and he’ll buy more time for his receivers. They won Super Bowls like that.”

If the Bears do end up with the top draft pick and decide to keep it, odds are strong that they will draft a quarterback. Should they decide to keep Fields, then there are numerous other top options at other positions of need. Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will likely be a top-end pick if he decides to leave college. Several left tackles will also be available at the top of the draft, including Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, and Alabama’s JC Latham.

The Bears could also draft UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu if he’s available.

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The Panthers have now lost six consecutive games after they fell 28-6 to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Carolina got just 137 passing yards on 36 attempts from Bryce Young, and they lost two fumbles en route to another defeat.

They now have a two-game cushion over the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals in the race for the top pick, but that selection will go to the Bears when the season ends.

Here’s where things stand after Sunday afternoon’s games.

1 Chicago (via Carolina) 1-12

2 New England 3-10

3 Arizona 3-10

4 Washington 4-9

5 New York Giants 4-8

6 Tennessee 4-8

7 Chicago 5-8

8 New York Jets 5-8

The Panthers, thanks to six straight losses, are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick in the draft. That selection would go to the Bears thanks to the trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft to Carolina, leaving the 1-12 Panthers without a first-round selection.

The Panthers will play their next two games at home, with the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers coming to town. After a road trip to Jacksonville on New Year’s Eve, they’ll wrap up their season against the Buccaneers in Charlotte.

Despite a Thursday night win over the Steelers, the Patriots would still land the No. 2 pick in the draft if the season ended now. Their remaining schedule features trips to Denver and to Buffalo, along with home games against the Chiefs and Jets.

The Cardinals will have some tough games down the stretch after their bye week, with home tilts against the 49ers and Seahawks, as well as road games against the Bears and Eagles.

For the Bears’ own pick, they still have a superior strength-of-schedule tiebreaker over the Jets, as well as the Giants, Titans, Raiders and Chargers.

The Titans will take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, while the Giants will take on the Green Bay Packers.

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On a play in the first quarter of the contest, Justin Fields split out wide, leaving Moore lined up in the shotgun. After receiving the snap, he faked a handoff to Fields, and he turned the edge and scored on a 16-yard run to give the Bears the lead:

Both Lucas Patrick and Braxton Jones were downfield on the play blocking for Moore, whose touchdown was the first rushing score of his career on his 41^st attempt out of the backfield.

The play capped off a 69-yard drive that gave the Bears a 7-0 lead as they try for their second divisional win in a row.

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Here’s the full list of Bears inactives for their Week 14 game:

It’s worth noting that both Tyler Scott (hamstring) and Velus Jones Jr. (illness) are active, since each man was considered questionable to play. That means the Bears will have both of their top-two kick returners ready to roll, and will have their typical depth at the back end of the wide receivers group. Equanimeous St. Brown is inactive and was ruled out on Friday with a pectoral injury. He’s considered week-to-week. The team called up Collin Johnson from the practice squad in case Scott or Jones Jr. couldn’t play, but since they’re each good to go, the team made Johnson inactive.

Other inactives include guard Ja’Tyre Carter, defensive back Quindell Johnson, defensive end Dominique Robinson and quarterback Nathan Peterman. All of them are depth players buried at the back of their respective position groups.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ last two games against the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots had major implications for the Bears, who are competing for the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick by way of the Carolina Panthers.

With Mitch Trubisky in for an injured Kenny Pickett the last two weeks, the Steelers’ dropped back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the league, putting both the Cardinals and Patriots two games above the 1-11 Panthers in the standings. That two-game cushion will be crucial in helping the Bears’ secure the No. 1 pick.

In those two games, Trubisky completed 63.5% of his passes for 307 total yards and two touchdowns.

Of course, fans in Chicago have taken the opportunity to thank Trubisky for his services.

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KENNETH DAVIS

The Lions snatched a victory away from the Bears several weeks ago. Some would say, the Bears gave that game away. The Bears definitely aided in giving it away, but I think it was more of Detroit having confidence that they can turn it on when needed. Perhaps Lions center Frank Ragnow being out will aid the Bears in pressuring Jared Goff, and slowing down the Lions run game like the Bears did for most of the last game versus Detroit. I think the Bears could win this game, but I’m going to go with the Kitties on this one.

Lions: 27, Bears: 21

JOSH SCHROCK

The Bears have never won back-to-back games under head coach Matt Eberflus. They also have yet to beat a team this season that doesn’t have a coach on the hot seat (Frank Reich and Josh McDaniels have been fired and Ron Rivera will soon join them) or is using a backup quarterback (Joshua Dobbs).

Sunday’s game against the Lions is a chance for the Bears to make a statement that the growth they keep talking about is real. The Bears match up well with the Lions from a scheme and personnel standpoint. Chicago has outplayed the Lions in two of their last three matchups but coughed up big fourth quarter leads in both instances.

I think the Bears get over the hump against Dan Campbell’s Lions this time. Quarterback Justin Fields has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his last three games against the Lions. Detroit’s defense has given up an average of 30.25 points per game over the last month and struggled stopping the Bears three weeks ago.

The Bears win the battle in the trenches, Fields shines with his legs, and the Bears move to 5-8.

I already hate this pick.

Bears: 27, Lions: 23

ALEX SHAPIRO

The Bears probably had their best chance to get a win against the NFC North leaders when they shocked the Lions for three and a half quarters in Week 11. The Lions will not be taken by surprise again. They’ll also be armed with the info that helped them beat the Bears down the stretch last month: throw to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs as an extension of the run game, and attack the middle of the field with Sam LaPorta.

Justin Fields has enjoyed some of the best performances of his career against the Lions, and Detroit’s defense remains susceptible to big plays. There’s no reason to believe the Bears won’t be able to muster more points this Sunday than they did against the Vikings in Week 12. But the Bears aren’t set up to win a shootout, and that’s what could develop at Soldier Field this Sunday.

Lions: 31, Bears: 24

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That number is key, as it determines how much the Bears will have to pay annually for taxes on the land.

On Friday, “in an effort to address the ongoing property value concerns,” school districts in the northwest Chicago suburb announced they secured two independent appraisals by MaRous & Company that valued the property at $160 million, according to a press release.

Along with their new assessment, they also announced the Bears promised to submit an appraisal value of their own by the end of the year.

Previously, the property was valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area, which are funded by property taxes, countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

Whether or not the school districts agree to the value the Bears return with remains to be seen. The school districts are holding their ground for the community, but they said they remain open-minded about coming to an agreement on the property value.

“The school districts, like our neighboring school districts, routinely become involved in property tax matters to defend against unwarranted reductions in the assessments of significant commercial and industrial properties,” the school districts said in the release. “We do so because the reductions being sought on these significant properties increase the tax burden on homeowners and can reduce the amount of money available to fund education.

“The assessment cases in which the Districts become involved are normally settled through a compromise somewhere between the values in the appraisals submitted into evidence by the taxpayer and the Districts. This is precisely how we settled the 2022 assessment with Churchill Downs, Inc.”

As aforementioned, the Bears re-opened their stadium location options, despite purchasing the Arlington Park land in February 2023. Since reopening their interests, several municipalities have shown interest including Naperville, Aurora, Waukegan and the city of Chicago.

Speaking of the city, recent reports revealed the Bears are doing their “due diligence on the viability” of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible stadium location. They plan to use the same firm, Compass Land Surveying Aurora, that they used for Arlington Heights to survey the land.

Check back to this story for more updates.

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If Scott and Jones Jr. each can’t play that would shine a light on Darnell Mooney and Trent Taylor to pick up the slack behind DJ Moore. The team could also consider elevating Nsimba Webster or Collin Johnson from the practice squad. It would also leave the team without its top two kick returners. Khalil Herbert has returned kicks for the Bears in the past and he could slide into that role again. Travis Homer is another option for kick return.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is questionable to play with a knee injury that popped up on Thursday’s report. Ngakoue was able to practice in full on Friday, however, so he’s trending in the right direction. The expectation is that Ngakoue will be able to play against the Lions.

The offense got some good news as D’Onta Foreman and Larry Borom each enter Week 14 without a game designation. Foreman has battled through an ankle injury for weeks and emerged as one of the most effective players in the rushing game. Borom plays an important role as the team’s swing tackle in case Braxton Jones or Darnell Wright get hurt.

Finally, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Noah Sewell are each healthy enough to play on Sunday. Stevenson missed the Bears’ game against the Vikings with an ankle injury. Now he’s set to re-enter the lineup, although coaches have said he’ll rotate in and out of the defense along with fellow rookie Terell Smith. Sewell has largely played on special teams this year, but will also act as the backup strongside linebacker if needed.

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Where will the Bears build their new stadium?

On October 3, The Dailey Herald reported that a demolition at Arlington Park ordered by the Bears had been completed.

This, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate the Bears will reside there in the future. They’re currently at an impasse with Arlington Heights over property valuation, as it affects future tax bills for the Bears.

After deliberating with Arlington Heights — the 326-acre land the Chicago Bears bought for $197.2 million — about developing a stadium at Arlington Park, the Bears seemingly pivoted off the location when Bears’ CEO Kevin Warren stated publicly back in August that “everything is on the table.”

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Warren told Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

How did the Bears get here? What does the future look like?

Let’s take a look at how the Bears and their stadium endeavors have unfolded so far.

What has happened

On Feb. 15, the Bears released a letter saying they closed on the purchase of the 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and the Arlington Park property “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The Bears first put a purchase agreement on the property in September of 2021. One year later, the Bears unveiled early plans to build a fully enclosed dome stadium on the property as well as a multi-purpose entertainment, commercial/retail, and housing district.

The Bears have said from the start of the process that they will fully fund the construction of the stadium, which is expected to cost between $2 and $3 billion. However, the team has said multiple times it will need help with the development of the other areas.

“We have publicly stated and repeat here again: If we construct a state-of-the-art stadium, we will not seek taxpayer funds locally or otherwise for the structure. If we proceed, however, this project would require assistance to ensure feasibility, including our securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region,” the Bears said in a statement.

“For the development to move forward, and for this effort to be financially feasible, a public-private partnership addressing predictable taxes and necessary infrastructure funding for public uses is essential. Public funds for infrastructure will provide regional improvements such as roads for better traffic flow and water drainage for residents throughout the area.”

The Bears have said numerous times that the purchase and development of the Arlington Heights property was their sole focus as it pertains to a new stadium.

The Bears’ lease with Soldier Field is slated to end in 2033.

Tax issues cause change of course

The Bears have mentioned since the beginning they will need assistance with the infrastructure and property tax certainty. They seemingly lost sight of the latter over the summer.

The property was previously valued at $33 million by Cook County. However, during a triennial reassessment, Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office placed the value at $197 million. That six-fold spike naturally would send the Bears’ property tax bill through the roof.

Churchill Downs, who was on the hook for the increased tax bill in 2022, filed an appeal saying that the property value was $37.2 million. School districts in the area which are funded by property taxes countered with $150 million. The two sides eventually reached a settlement at $95 million, which took Churchill Downs’ tax payment from around $16.2 million to just under $7.8 million.

However, that was just a one-year agreement between the two sides. With the Bears now taking over the tax bill, they will have to revisit the issue and try to come to an agreement. That $95 million number is the reason the Bears have started to look elsewhere, according to a team statement released over the summer.

“The Chicago Bears goal of building the largest single development project in Illinois history led by billions of dollars in private capital investment, and the jobs and economic benefits generated, is at risk in Arlington Heights. The stadium-based project remains broadly popular in Arlington Heights, Chicagoland and the state. However, the property’s original assessment at five times the 2021 tax value, and the recent settlement with Churchill Downs for 2022 being three times higher, fails to reflect the property is not operational and not commercially viable in its current state. We will continue the ongoing demolition activity and work toward a path forward in Arlington Heights, but it is no longer our singular focus. It is our responsibility to listen to other municipalities in Chicagoland about potential locations that can deliver on this transformational opportunity for our fans, our club and the State of Illinois.”

What Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office said

“Our office’s mission is to assess property based on market value,” a spokesperson for the Cook County Assessor’s office said Friday. “The 2022 assessment of the former Arlington Racecourse site is consistent with both the 2023 purchase price of the property and the price per square foot of other similarly sized land in the area. The facts speak for themselves.”

Other municipalities make their pitch

With the Bears and Arlington Heights battling over taxes, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli sent Bears president Kevin Warren a letter offering Naperville as the potential new home for the Bears.

“The city would welcome the opportunity to review your business needs and our available properties,” Wehrli’s letter said. “Through prudent planning, Naperville is accessible via our region’s major interstates and Metra. We have several available or to-be-available sites that may fit the characteristics you are looking for in your future home.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Warren have had two separate meetings. Here’s their last joint statement.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

Ten days after Naperville attempted to enter the stadium discussion, another suburb tried to throw its hat in the ring. Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor sent the Bears a letter asking them to meet to discuss the opportunities available for the franchise in the suburb.

“We believe that the Monsters of the Midway deserve the opportunity to continue the tradition of playing along the shores of Lake Michigan, with the market opportunity of having a year-round facility capable of hosting other major events, including the Super Bowl, the Final Four, and other events of an international scale,” Taylor wrote in her letter.

Aurora is the latest municipality to try their hand at convincing the Bears to come their way.

“. . . Welcoming a historic organization such as the Chicago Bears would enhance our bold vision for Aurora and will provide the Chicago Bears with a new home to begin the next phase of your storied history. We invite you to visit our great city to explore the exciting opportunity Aurora can bring to the world-famous Chicago Bears.”

Soldier Field South Lot

A report from 670 The Score surfaced in early December that the Bears had begun surveying the viability of Soldier Field’s South Lot as a potential new stadium site.

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options.

What’s next?

Warren told King he hopes to come to a decision on the location of the stadium within the next year. After that, he’s specific about the timeline of the actual construction.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

The Bears brought in Warren to do exactly that — plan and build a stadium. He’s done it once already. In Minnesota, he helped the Vikings construct U.S. Bank stadium, one of the most prominent stadium designs in recent history.

He’s also not naive to the politics that surround constructing a stadium, especially in Chicago.

“In regard to why I can get it done, one thing I found out, especially with stadium development projects, you have to create what’s the why?” Warren said. “And what’s the why for everyone? It can’t just be, what’s the why for the Chicago Bears, or what’s the why for this group or that group? One of the things I’ll really start thinking is, what’s the why? No matter what constituent group you put in front of me, what’s the why? The more common the why that you have, the more people will understand.

“With stadium development projects, and one of the many things I learned in Minnesota, is you have to create a compelling story of why it makes sense. I just believe at this point in time, where we are in our lifespan in the NFL of the Chicago Bears, that the time is right. I’ll need to study the project and understand and lean on other people, talk with Ted [Phillips] and other folks in the organization to come up with what that why is. But those are things that I love. To be able to walk the project and talk with constituents and groups and come up with why this makes sense. I’m confident with the intellectual talent in this state and in this city and all the people who love the Chicago Bears will be able to come together.”

Remember, the Bears paid a hefty price tag to own the land in Arlington Heights. The idea of selling it or developing it into something that isn’t a stadium doesn’t seem feasible.

The Halas/McCaskey family have their money tied up in the Bears, not external interests. Jerry Jones could eat the cost of this land and find a new location at the snap of his fingers. The Bears can’t.

According to Warren on King’s podcast, the Bears and Arlington Heights have a fall meeting to discuss the prospects of their tax bill once more. That meeting will be crucial in determining the real answer to the Bears stadium location.

Right now, it’s in flux. But it isn’t cemented. That’ll come soon enough.

For now, enjoy Soldier Field while you can. Because, either way it unfolds, the Bears are likely moving out.

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Robbie Gould bid the NFL adieu in a thoughtful post to the Players’ Tribune on Thursday, reflecting on an improbable journey that began with a walk-on tryout invitation from Joe Paterno at Penn State University in 2001.

What followed was a distinguished 18-year NFL career.

After 11 seasons in Chicago, which culminated in him becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer, Gould had a one-year stint with the New York Giants before settling down with the San Francisco 49ers for the remainder of his career.

His crowning achievement was his perfect postseason field-goal percentage. At 29-for-29 across 16 games, there are a plethora of big moments Gould could choose to hang his hat on.

In his mind, though, there’s one kick that stands above the rest.

“January of 2022,” he said. “Playoffs. Green Bay vs. San Fran. Lambeau Field. It’s 10–10. Ball on the right hash. Four seconds left on the clock. Jimmy G. had just taken the Niners offense 44 yards in nine plays against the top-seeded Packers. Deebo and Juszczyk had huge plays to give us a shot to win it from 45 and send San Francisco to the NFC Championship. 

“The temperature was below zero, and it felt exactly the way it did when I played in the Windy City. Snow was falling, and the ground was soft. It wasn’t ideal, but none of that mattered; as a kicker, it was one of those moments I lived for every time I stepped on the field. And then….

We nailed it right down the middle.” 

Gould will always have a soft spot for the city of Chicago, where he met his wife and raised his kids. He played against the Green Bay Packer 21 times as a member of the Bears. That type of loathing is hard to unlearn.

Bears’ special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who worked in the same role for the 49ers that season, spoke about the magnitude of that wild night at Lambeau Field Thursday at Halas Hall.

“I mean, that was an awesome experience for our whole football time,” he said. “Big kick for him obviously, big kick for the franchise there. Anytime you beat Green Bay, I’m all for it. It was just a special moment. It was a special moment. It’s one that those guys on that team will cherish and it’s something that I’m hoping as we continue to build something here really special, that we can have a moment like that. And Bears fans and everybody here can experience that as well. That’s why we come to work every day, is for moments like that.”

“I’ve always had a healthy respect for the Packers and that fierce Bears-Packers rivalry,” Gould said. “More than anything, though, I just absolutely love Bears fans. So to hit a huge kick like that, on the big stage, to continue my streak of never missing a kick in the playoffs and to also make all of Chicago happy in the process by taking down its rival? It was the best of both worlds.”

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Justin Fields helped tremendously in his return from a thumb injury that kept him out for five weeks. He threw for 169 yards and one touchdown while running for a whopping 104 yards on the ground in Detroit.

That offensive production, and a consistent defensive thwarting from the Bears, helped pigeon-hole the Lions into a 12-point deficit late in the game. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before. The Lions scored two quick touchdowns to take back the lead they first earned in the second quarter, winning the game.

But their win didn’t discount how the Bears played for the first 56 minutes of a game they should’ve locked up. Lions head coach Dan Campbell understands this and refuses to underestimate the Bears, and especially, Justin Fields.

“He’s [Fields] one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of from last year to this year is if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous,” Campbell said.

“Everything starts with him for us defensively and containing these guys.”

Containing Fields on the ground was something the Lions struggled with mightily in 2022, too.

The first time around, Fields rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, falling one point short of defeating the Lions. He also threw for an additional two touchdowns through the air.

The second time around, well, was a different story. They figured him out through the air, forcing him into a 75-yard day on 7-of-21 passing. But on the ground, again, the Lions failed to stifle Fields. He rushed for 132 yards on 10 carries.

The Bears, currently 4-8, are desperate for a strong finish from a rather underwhelming season. A win over the Lions to make up for the one they should’ve had earlier this season would be a solid start.

“This is gonna be good. This is gonna be a good battle,” Campbell said.

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“Great competitor,” Hightower said. “Clutch in big moments when we needed him to be. Consistent, you know?

“Everybody knows he’s the all-time Bears leading scorer and means a lot to the city of Chicago. And just want to congratulate him on a hell of a career.”

When asked what made Gould so great, Hightower didn’t mention anything physical about his leg or his technique. He said it was how he approached the game.

“Most of the really, really good ones have the mental toughness and the mental fortitude to persevere through a lot of different things… Robbie was that way.”

Gould emerged as a Bears legend thanks to a tryout with the team in 2005. He ended up playing 11 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points.

Gould was named a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2006 when he led the league with 32 made field goals. He hit 88.9% of his kicks that year and went a perfect 47-47 on extra point tries.

His leg was responsible for several Bears wins, including thrillers like his 49-yarder in overtime to beat the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2006 playoffs.

Hightower wasn’t with the Bears for that walkoff win, but experienced another thanks to Gould in the 2021 playoffs when he hit a field goal as time expired to beat the Packers and send the Niners to the NFC Championship Game.

“Anytime you beat Green Bay, I’m all for it,” Hightower said. “It was just a special moment. It was a special moment. It’s one that those guys on that team will cherish and it’s something that I’m hoping as we continue to build something really special here, that we can have a moment like that. And Bears fans and everybody here can experience that as well. That’s why we come to work every day, is for moments like that.”

Gould’s 85.4% field goal percentage ranks second in Bears history, behind only Cairo Santos’ 90.2% hit rate. His career 86.46% field goal percentage ranks ninth in NFL history.

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With five games left in the season and the Bears in line to get a top-two pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s unclear if Fields can do enough to convince general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus that he’s the long-term solution under center in Chicago.

While Fields plans to face the uncertainty with an admirable perspective that’s telling about the way the wind is blowing, wide receiver DJ Moore was clear about his stance on what Fields’ future in Chicago should be.

“I didn’t know that,” Moore said Thursday at Halas Hall when told of Fields’ stance on his future. “If he feels that way, then you really can’t do too much but go out there and be yourself, and he’s a dynamic player, dynamic quarterback. We want him here. I’ve been having a great year with him, so that should speak volumes. Just leave what they do upstairs, upstairs at the end of the day.”

Through 12 games, Moore has caught 70 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. In the eight games that Fields has started, Moore has caught 50 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns. If you extrapolate those numbers out for a 17-game season with a healthy Fields, Moore would be in line for 106 catches, 1,683 yards, and 13 touchdowns.

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Moore and Fields have worked tirelessly to build their chemistry since the elite wide receiver arrived in Chicago in March. Those long offseason hours working on grass and getting to know each other off the field have paid off.

“He’s great, top-down as a player,” Fields said of Moore on Wednesday. “Of course, everybody knows he’s a great player, he’s been over 1,000 yards for I don’t even know how long. Great players and even better person, even better teammate. Just the kind of guy he is. He came in, was kind of quiet a little bit – this and that – but he’s always been the same. Of course, the more you get to know him, the more you talk to him, he just opens up more and really just becomes an open book. I love him as a teammate, love his as a person and yeah, he’s just great to have on the team.”

Fields and Moore have been the perfect combo for most of the season. The Bears believed adding an elite wide receiver would help Fields break out as a passer. While the high-level consistency hasn’t been there, Fields has made strides during a critical third season.

“The big thing, from Year 1 and 2, he made big strides is what I’m hearing and what I’m seeing out there with his passes, his decision making,” Moore said of Fields. “Year 3 is probably the most critical year. I know it was for me. I took the jump. I had whatever you want to say, and it was like that. For him, he’s young, so he’s gonna still continue to grow and be better.”

Moore wants that to be with him in Chicago. But that’s out of his hands. With five games left, it might already be out of Fields’ as well.

The group’s board chair, Bronwyn Nichols, released the following statement Wednesday on behalf of Friends of the Parks:

“The Bears’ viability study about building a new structure on protected lakefront land absolutely should include dealing with a lawsuit. Friends of the Parks most certainly will continue in its historic role of fending off attempts to develop real estate on the people’s lakefront for private interests.”

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options. But since the Bears ran into tax assessment issues with Arlington Heights — the land they purchased in February 2023 — they’ve been demonstrating an open mind towards all other options.

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Bears CEO/President Kevin Warren told NBC’s Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

MORE: Chicago Bears stadium: Where things stand with Soldier Field, Arlington Heights

The Bears have met with the city of Chicago twice. Both times, Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have released joint statements surrounding the general positivity surrounding their conversations.

Here’s the latest statement from last June.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

If nothing else, know this: Warren is hoping to move the process along since coming to a crossroads with Arlington Heights. He hopes to have a firm decision on the location of the stadium soon.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said in August. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

Check back to this story for more updates.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

“To have the kind of playing-career experience that I had in the NFL was nothing short of amazing, and my level of gratitude for the journey — the ups, the downs, the in-between — is immeasurable,” Gould said in a post published on The Players’ Tribune.

Gould emerged as a Bears legend thanks to a tryout with the team in 2005. He ended up playing 11 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points.

Gould was named a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2006 when he led the league with 32 made field goals. He hit 88.9% of his kicks that year and went a perfect 47-47 on extra point tries.

His leg was responsible for several Bears wins, including thrillers like his 49-yarder in overtime to beat the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2006 playoffs.

The Bears cut Gould in 2016, but he went on to play seven more seasons in the NFL, one with the Giants and six with the 49ers. Gould’s time in San Francisco included one “revenge game” where he connected on five field goals to put the 49ers over the Bears 15-14. He also hit a game-winning field goal as time expired in the 2021 playoffs to give the Niners a win over the Packers and send San Francisco to the NFC Championship game.

Gould’s 85.4% field goal percentage ranks second in Bears history, behind only Cairo Santos’ 90.2% hit rate. His career 86.46% field goal percentage ranks ninth in NFL history.

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Jones is the Bears nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this year, in large part due to his community outreach. In particular, Jones likes to participate in Youth Guidance’s “Becoming a Man” program, or BAM, where he gets one-on-one time to mentor boys between seven and 12 years old. Per Youth Guidance’s website, the program is designed to help them “learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community.”

“I love what they provide to the community,” Jones said. “I love what they’re doing. I wish I had that when I was younger.”

The cause is especially important to Jones because he didn’t have a father figure in his life. He was raised by a single mother in Georgia, and he learned a lot about resiliency and providing for family from her. But when it came time to be a father himself, he was scared. Since he didn’t have that father figure, he didn’t know how to act. So when Jones’ wife Kandace gave birth to their daughter Kamiah three years ago, Jones decided to stitch together the aspects he liked best from the role models in his life.

“I’ve built my own little portrait of what it’s supposed to be like.”

The central figure in Jones’ fatherhood canvas is his former strength coach from NC State, Dantonio Burnette, aka Coach Thunder.

“He was a real big family guy and he was one that, at a pivotal time in my life, sat down with me and taught me about these things and showed me the importance of it,” Jones said. “It wasn’t like he was just talking about it, too. He walked it.”

One thing that made an impression upon Jones was when Burnette invited him over for Thanksgiving. Jones saw how Burnette treated his family and how he spoke to his wife. He was taken by Burnette’s nature as a father and filed it away.

“It was a beautiful thing. He taught me in a short period of time what it’s supposed to be like, and I loved it.”

That wasn’t all Jones learned from Burnette. His former coach taught him about bravery and having the courage to face tough situations, even when it’s scary. Burnette taught him how to properly communicate with people and how to properly channel his emotions. Burnette taught him that it’s ok to cry, even though he’s a man.

One of the biggest problems that Jones believes men face today is that they don’t know what to do with their emotions. Call it toxic masculinity. Call it a reluctance to get in touch with oneself. Call it whatever you want. Jones simply believes it’s important for young men to learn how to process their feelings in a healthy way and tries to relay that to his BAM mentees.

Jones also appreciates the opportunity to inspire a young man who might be going through a rough patch and encourage him that things will get better. He draws on his own experience to hopefully help the kids see a bright future even if the present seems bleak.

“We lost our house in 2010, 2008 or something like that. When I was in Georgia it rained for like seven days straight, and our house sat between two rivers. The water overflowed and flooded our house, and the water got to our second floor. We had to swim out of there to get to the front door. Me, my mom, my stepdad and my brother had to swim to get out of our house. My brother had to sit on my stepdad’s back. I remember my momma got sick because she got bit by something in the water.”

Jones and his family had to stay at his aunt’s house for months, and when they returned their house was totaled. His mom didn’t have flood insurance since they didn’t live in a flood zone and their family was already just getting by before the disaster struck.

“She had to build it back from the bottom up, again,” Jones said. “Seeing her go through that tough time with two kids, she’s by herself and she’s the main provider, and having to deal with this– it’s like, man, she did it. She toughed through it. To this day, if things get hard I know there’s a way through.”

It is important for Jones to share these lessons with the kids he mentors in BAM, but now he’s excited to share them with his own son, who is just two days old.

On Monday, Justin and Kandace welcomed their second child into the world, Jru Maurice Jones. Kandace picked the name since Justin picked out Kamiah for their daughter. Maurice is also Justin’s middle name.

“My son sounds like an All-Star. When he was born I was like, ‘Jruuuuu Mauriiiiice Joooooones!’” Jones said in his best PA announcer voice. “They say Maurice Jones-Drew, or Jrue Holiday. No, it’s Jru Jones. Jruuuuuuu Jooooones. I get used to that, man.”

By now, Jones’ nervousness about becoming a dad has given way to excitement. He loves it.

“Honestly, it’s fun,” Jones said. “It has its tough times every now and again, but I feel like when you’ve got a good partner to help you it’s easy. When you’re both on the same page and when you both agree on certain things, and stand on the same morals and stuff like that, it’s good.”

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner will be announced on Feb. 6.

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The 24-year-old has shown flashes during a three-year stretch that would have chewed up most young quarterbacks and spit them out. He has had two head coaches and two offensive systems. He has had his mechanics altered. He’s played behind an offensive line that has been under construction and, until DJ Moore arrived, had limited weapons.

The Bears asked Fields to prove he was a franchise quarterback while swimming uphill during a rebuild.

Fields’ third season has had ups and downs. There was the slow start followed by eight touchdown passes in two games against the Broncos and Commanders. A dislocated thumb and a four-week absence followed. Fields returned in Week 11 and has played well since getting back on the grass.

As Fields’ season speeds toward a crescendo, the Bears quarterback is aware of the chatter surrounding his uncertain future at the helm of the franchise. The Bears currently are in line to own the No. 1 overall pick via the Carolina Panthers. With Caleb Williams and Drake Maye expected to declare for the draft, many expect the Bears to move on from Fields this offseason and reset the quarterback contract clock with a guy of Poles’ choosing.

Fields is facing that uncertainty with humility. It’s a perspective that’s rooted in his faith, shows his maturity, and might point to the end being near.

“I mean, life isn’t fair,” Fields said Wednesday at Halas Hall when asked if it’s fair for people to say his future is riding on the final five games. “So me personally, I’m just focused on what I can control, and the rest is in God’s hands.

“Wherever, if I’m here next year, if I’m not, football doesn’t define who I am as a person. My happiness will still be in the same place, will still be in God. And really, just football wise, life stuff in general, I think my faith in God, my hope in God, is just so much more than anything that can be thrown at me on this earth. Yeah, I mean, that’s why I don’t really stress over stuff like that, over stuff that I can’t control. I know that God’s got me, and I’m going to be good. I’m very blessed in the position I am in, and I think a million people would love to be in the position I am right now. So really just, I’m not taking that for granted and just taking each and every moment I have every day up here to the fullest.”

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This isn’t the first time Fields has signaled that his success in Chicago, or the NFL in general, won’t dictate his happiness.

After the Bears’ Week 3 loss in Kansas City, Fields said that falling into a 31-point hole wasn’t a death blow to what many assumed might be dwindling confidence in a critical season—zooming out allowed Fields to shield himself from the pressure of a potential make-or-break season.

“I’m looking at it like the big picture, life in general, to be honest with you,” Fields said after the loss in Kansas City. “I think this past week has had me kind of look at it like what are the important things in life? Because you know when things are going good, you feel me, not say whatever. I think these past couple of weeks have made me appreciate the little things in life, like being able to play this game. Every opportunity I get to go out there and play, I’m going to have fun. I’m going to play my hardest and, you know, just thank God for giving me the ability to play. So, no matter what the scoreboard is, I’m going to keep having the same mindset and just pushing to keep moving forward.”

Perhaps it’s unfair to judge Fields based on these final five games. If you take everything into account — from a lame-duck Matt Nagy season to a rebuild with no line and no weapons and the issues with the current offensive structure — what he has done in 35 career games is impressive.

We’ve seen Mac Jones devolve, Zach Wilson crumble, Trey Lance get shipped out of San Francisco, and Kenny Pickett flop.

Fields has had bad moments. There’s no doubt. He’s also risen above the dysfunction and relative organizational incompetence that has suffocated many quarterbacks.

Fields understands the business. He understands he might not do enough to be the starter next year. He might not be in Chicago at all.

That doesn’t have to mean the end of the world. That doesn’t have to be the end of his story. There will be another chapter. Chances are it’ll come in a better situation than he found himself trying to survive for the past three.

“Shoot, since I got to Chicago, y’all don’t hold back,” Fields said with a smile Wednesday. “Shoot, I hear it from y’all, I hear it from fans and stuff like that. I don’t take any of it personal because I know everybody’s entitled to their opinion on certain things and stuff like that. That’s one thing I try to do is not take anything personal, and just go about it that way.

“I’ve had moments in my life to where I’ve wanted things to happen that didn’t go that way and it ended up going another way and it worked out better than I ever could have imagined. That’s really why I just don’t stress about stuff that happens and just controlling what I control and like I said earlier just being the best person I can be and striving to be the best player I can be.”

Franchises swap out quarterbacks like shoes in the NFL. They bounce from signal-caller to signal-caller without second thought — searching, hoping, and praying that they find a difference-maker to deliver stability, respect, and wins for a decade plus.

Fields had everything needed to be that for the Bears. A blue-chip recruit who was billed as a generational prospect since the age of 17, Fields fell right into the Bears’ lap in the 2021 draft. Armed with a big arm, rare athleticism, a winning pedigree, and an unmatched work ethic, Fields was what the Bears had been searching for.

He still might be.

The Bears undoubtedly already have a good idea of who Fields is and what he might become. Or, better put, what they have allowed him to be and whether or not he can still reach a sky-high ceiling as their franchise quarterback.

Five games is unlikely to dwarf the Bears’ evaluation of the totality of Fields’ early tenure. They likely already have a preference, and how the draft chips fall will determine their course of action.

Fields is a talented quarterback with room to grow. He also has some bad habits he and the Bears’ staff are working to eliminate.

It’s easy to look at the potential of Williams or Maye and think of what might be. But patience and continuity are often the elixirs that deliver quarterback-needy franchises the signal-callers they crave. It served the Buffalo Bills well with Josh Allen. It has done wonders for the Green Bay Packers and Jordan Love.

Perhaps that’s what Fields needs. That’s undoubtedly what he deserved coming out of Ohio State.

What comes next might not be up to Fields. He’ll do what he can for the final five games and head into the offseason unsure of what the future holds.

Fields seems to understand the situation with five games left in the season. The inertia of organizational ineptitude is hard for one man to overcome.

The NFL pressure cooker has crumpled countless quarterbacks who have come before Fields. Whether real or perceived, Fields seems at peace with the path ahead, even if the destination is unknown.

He should be commended for his perspective. It’s healthy and will serve him well in Chicago or at his next stop.

It also might signal which way the wind is blowing as it pertains to the Bears’ quarterback future — one that might not involve Justin Fields.

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The Bears are reportedly doing their “due diligence on the viability” of the South Lot of Soldier Field as a possible stadium location, according to a report from 670 The Score.

The Bears are using the same surveying company they used for Arlington Heights to investigate the potential of the South Lot land, according to the report. Does that mean the Bears are looking into building a new stadium on the lot? That’s unclear at this point.

Soldier Field lost its historical landmark status in 2006 after making major renovations. That means, in theory, the city could tear down Soldier Field in favor of building a whole new stadium. Seeing the history and value the stadium brings to the city, however, that seems like an impossible hill to climb.

All the report tells us, at this point, is the Bears are continuing to explore their options. But since the Bears ran into tax assessment issues with Arlington Heights — the land they purchased in February 2023 — they’ve been demonstrating an open mind towards all other options.

“We had that period where we were focused on Arlington,” Bears CEO/President Kevin Warren told NBC’s Peter King on his podcast. “We have some issues to work on. There’s a possibility there. But one of the things I promised myself and promised the McCaskeys is that I would come in and take a fresh look at what’s the right thing to do.

“And if it turns out to be Arlington, it turns out to be Arlington.”

MORE: Chicago Bears stadium: Where things stand with Soldier Field, Arlington Heights

The Bears have met with the city of Chicago twice. Both times, Warren and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have released joint statements surrounding the general positivity surrounding their conversations.

Here’s the latest statement from last June.

“Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city. We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values.”

If nothing else, know this: Warren is hoping to move the process along since coming to a crossroads with Arlington Heights. He hopes to have a firm decision on the location of the stadium soon.

“I’m hopeful that (decision comes) within the next 12 months,” Warren said in August. “I always go by when a shovel goes in the ground. I believe once a shovel goes in the ground, it’s probably three years.”

Check back to this story for more updates.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.

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Starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (ankle), running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin) and swing tackle Larry Borom all participated in full after their injuries kept them out of the Bears’ Week 12 matchup against the Vikings.

Stevenson and Foreman are the most significant returns for the team. The rookie cornerback has been a starter since Week 1 and has steadily improved as the season has progressed. He’s given up some big plays but has also proven to be a reliable tackler. Stevenson has also displayed some ball-hawking ability that the Bears covet.

Foreman shouldered the load in the backfield while Khalil Herbert was on injured reserve earlier this season. He was so effective that he maintained a significant role in the offense when Herbert returned. On the year Foreman has 92 attempts for 381 yards and four touchdowns.

The only limited participant on Wednesday was rookie linebacker Noah Sewell as he works through a knee injury. Sewell has largely contributed on special teams for the Bears this year.

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In a results-oriented business that often demands immediate success, it would be easy to let frustration creep in, especially when outsized expectations aren’t met and questions about job security arise.

But Eberflus has continually stayed where his feet are and looked at the bigger picture of what he and general manager Ryan Poles are trying to accomplish. Daily progress can sometimes be infinitesimal, but eventually, the larger results materialize if you stay the course.

“You have to have extreme patience during this time, and you got to see growth,” Eberflus said Wednesday at Halas Hall. “You have to see that in small increments at times. You have to learn from every performance, and I think that’s part of growing. We’ve continued to do that as we’ve put this football team together.”

Eberflus can say that, but he also understands that his 7-22 record isn’t good enough, especially given the Bears’ dreadful start to his second season. But that incremental growth Eberflus has seen daily at Halas Hall has started to show on the field, and the Bears enter Week 14 with the arrow pointing in the right direction.

“You want the wins, right? The wins, that’s the biggest frustration,” Eberflus said. “When are you going to get the wins? You keep doing things right, you keep doing things right, then all of a sudden, the wins will come. That’s what all of my mentors would tell me when I visited during this process. Just keep doing it right and really focus on the fundamentals and details of doing the job right. Hold guys to standards, don’t let that slip. That’s what we’ve tried to do. Again, I know it’s been slow, and I know the Chicago Bears fans– as we do– want more wins. You can certainly see that momentum starting to change, and we’re certainly optimistic for that.”

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While Eberflus’ defense has strung together eight weeks of mostly solid performances — Los Angeles and the fourth quarter in Detroit notwithstanding — the offense has continued to be clunky and inconsistent.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s game plans have been hit and miss, and that’s the most generous interpretation. Quarterback Justin Fields has flashed, but the passing game has lacked the consistent explosiveness needed to win in today’s NFL.

This is the first time Eberflus has had responsibility for a team’s offense. That patience Eberflus preached in pushing through the stagnant times also extends to Getsy, Fields, and the offense.

But there’s a line that has to be walked. Patience is essential, but things must be fixed immediately when they aren’t working.

“I think that’s always there, the sense of urgency is always there,” Eberflus said when asked about exercising patience with the offense. “When the execution is there, you want to keep doing it. When it’s not, you want to have a sense of urgency. I said it the other day, it’s about being optimistic, being positive, but also being real. That’s not just with the players. That’s with the coaches too. What do we need to improve on? You have to make that improvement. That’s part of being a coordinator, that’s part of being a head coach, and that’s exactly what you do.”

Getsy took some heat for his screen-heavy game plan during the Bears’ 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12. Getsy believed the best way to combat Minnesota’s high-pressure defense was with quick passes to the perimeter. That worked initially, but the Vikings caught on, and the Bears’ offense sputtered in the second half.

On the Monday after the Minnesota win, Eberflus noted explosive plays to be had down the field against the Vikings. The Bears have to take advantage of those opportunities schematically, and Fields has to hit them when they are called.

“It’s about how do we generate explosive plays,” Eberflus said. “You score touchdowns by getting the explosives, right? We all know that.  

“But how do we do that in the running game? How do we create advantageous positions for the offense through motions, formationally, to create those advantages, those angles that we want to have so we can pop those runs? And in the passing game — we’re going to have to take more shots downfield to create those explosive plays. Those things are there. We just have to take advantage of it.”

Eberflus understands the pressure he and his staff face over the final five weeks. The progress has started to show, but a strong finish would go a long way toward ensuring they get another season.

But the potentially warming seat hasn’t forced his reservoir of patience to empty with Getsy, Fields, and the offense. There’s a belief that a breakout is coming. The adjustments will be made, and the explosive plays will start to arrive Sunday when the Bears open their critical finishing stretch against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

“I think they’re coming. I really do,” Eberflus said when asked about his patience with the offense. “I know Justin throws a really good deep ball, and he’s proven that we’re excited about our opportunity this week.”

If Getsy, Fields, and the offense continue to be erratic and struggle to create explosive plays, Eberflus’ patience will be put to the test, and the sense of urgency, with jobs potentially on the line, will be ratcheted up.

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“Sudden change comes around for offense when you get a big return into (opponent’s territory), either by takeaway or kicking game,” Eberflus said. “Or you get an explosive play, that can also be a momentum thing, too. It’s not quite sudden change, but it’s also momentum into the scoring zone.”

The Bears offense had several opportunities to take advantage of sudden change against the Vikings in Week 12, but they couldn’t make the most of them. The Bears offense got the ball five times off of a sudden change– four from interceptions and one from a turnover on downs– but they only managed to score six points on those ensuing drives. They had four offensive plays that went for 20+ yards over three drives. They got six points out of those drives. That’s not good enough, and it allowed the Vikings to hang around in a game that the Bears should have dominated.

Eberflus believes the key for more success is as simple as better operation when the team is in scoring range.

“Some of that’s converting on third downs,” Eberflus said. “If we decided to go on fourth down like we did last week with fourth-and-10, it’s converting there. Then it’s maintaining that momentum through execution into the scoring zone, into the end zone.

“That’s what we have to focus on.”

Poor execution both on offense and defense led to an incredible collapse in Week 11 when the team gave up a 12-point lead with just over four minutes to play against the Lions. The Bears have a chance to exorcize the demons when the Lions come to Soldier Field this Sunday. The team knows they can hang with the NFC North leaders, and if they can execute better on offense in the biggest moments they’ll give themselves a chance to tally a signature win.

“I think they’re coming,” Eberflus said. “I really do.”

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This season, the Bears nominated defensive tackle Justin Jones for the award.

“His leadership with this team has been outstanding since he’s been here,” said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. “I think the cool thing in terms of how he’s helped be a mentor for other people in the city of Chicago as well as young players on our team, is he’s tapping into former experiences that he’s gone through.

“If it’s performance anxiety, if it’s just coming up as a young football player trying to reach his goals, going through the ups and downs of a career — it’s never a linear path. So, for him to use some of the knowledge he’s had from his past and spread that not only to the community but to his teammates has really impacted this team and this locker room.”

Jones is an active participant in supporting Chicago’s community.

He selected Youth Guidance to support as part of the My Cause My Cleats initiative from the NFL.

He has personally assisted Nicole Mitchell, a single, deaf mother of three kids. Jones provided the family with essential items and Christmas gifts.

Jones is an avid supporter of CPS Girls’ Flag Football. He also holds an annual football camp in Atlanta, Ga. for high school players.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to be nominated for this award by my coaches and teammates,” said Jones. “I do my best to give back to Chicago communities. Coming from a humble background myself, I want to find ways to help people without expecting anything in return.”

Jones will wear the Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on his helmet for the rest of the season.

This season’s nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. The 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on CBS on Thursday, Feb. 8.

The last person to win the award was Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott last season. The last Chicago Bear to win the award was Mike Singletary in 1990.

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If the Bears move on from head coach Matt Eberflus, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Bears are expected to have interest in the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Bieniemy, 54, has been at the top of the prospective NFL head coaches list in recent seasons. His non-hiring as a head coach in recent years has sparked controversy about the NFL’s hiring process and rules for hiring coaches during the playoffs. He’s been a prime candidate in most recent offseasons.

Before taking over the Commanders’ offense under Ron Rivera, Bieniemy earned his stripes as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs between 2018-22. Under Bienimey’s leadership, the Chiefs’ offense has ranked first, fourth, sixth, second and first dating back to his start.

This season, the Commanders have the 22nd-best offense in the NFL. Last season, they finished 24th. The most significant improvement to come out of Washington, however, is quarterback Sam Howell’s improvement under center.

In his true first season (he played one game during his rookie outing), he’s thrown for just under 3,500 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 13 games. He leads the league in passing attempts and completions at this point, completing over 65% of those passes.

If the Bears moved on from Eberflus to bring in Bieniemy, or any new head coach, that person would mark the Bears’ third head coach in the last four years. Eberflus is in his second season succeeding former head coach, now Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Several names have been attached to the Bears’ potentially vacant head coaching spot.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has rumored interest in the Bears, the team he played quarterback for from 1987-93. Some pundits made the connection with Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots, in case he and the Patriots have a falling out after their, currently, two-win season.

Will the Bears move on from Eberflus? If so, who will they bring in next?

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Matt Eberflus’ team is fresh off its bye and has five more games before the regular season concludes. It has a 4-8 record, just two games behind the No. 7 seed in the NFC but also good for the No. 5 pick in the projected 2024 NFL Draft order.

The Bears’ race to the finish line begins with a home contest against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. It will be the second matchup between the NFC North foes in just four weeks after the Lions rallied to beat the Bears 31-26 in Week 11.

Detroit leads the NFC North with a 9-3 record after fending off the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. A win in Chicago will bring the team even closer to a division title, something it hasn’t earned since 1993.

Will the Lions sweep the season series, or will the Bears play spoiler? Here is how you can watch this week’s Bears-Lions matchup:

When is the Bears vs. Lions Week 14 game?

The Bears will host the Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Dec. 10.

What time is the Bears vs. Lions Week 14 game?

Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.

How to watch Bears vs. Lions Week 14

Bears-Lions will air on FOX.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Football Aftershow will begin immediately following the game. Ruthie Polinsky will be joined by Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Dave Wannstedt to break down how the Bears fared against the Lions. 

How to stream the Bears vs. Lions live online

Free streaming option: FuboTV (free trial)

Live stream: FoxSports.com, NFL+

Mobile app: Fox Sports app, NFL mobile app

How to listen to Bears vs. Lions on the radio

Station: ESPN 1000

Editor’s note: FUBO TV is a sponsored partner and we may receive compensation if you click on our links or sign up.

While the 2023 Bears focus on being where their feet are, the outside focus has shifted to the 2024 NFL Draft and the potential ahead. Thanks to general manager Ryan Poles’ trade heist of the Carolina Panthers last March, the Bears can focus both on an unlikely postseason push and an offseason that could see them own the No. 1 pick again.

After Sunday’s Week 13 action, the Bears have a 72 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick via Carolina. Currently, the Bears would own the No. 1 and No. 5 picks in the 2024 draft, giving them two top-tier assets to reshape the franchise.

The question from now until they go on the clock in April is: How will/should Poles utilize those picks? Should he draft a new quarterback in Caleb Williams or Drake Maye? Should he use the picks to add blue-chip talent around Justin Fields? Or should he trade one of the picks for more draft capital?

Poles will have plenty of paths to choose from this offseason, but what happens in the final five games will impact the route he travels.

CHICAGO BEARS

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Four figures, three of whom reside in Halas Hall, will play a key role in determining how Poles attacks what is setting up to be a potentially “transformational” offseason:

Justin Fields

Fields and how he plays during the final five games will undoubtedly play a massive role in how Poles chooses to use the draft capital he finds in his war chest this offseason.

Last offseason, the Bears’ GM said he’d have to “be blown away” to move on from Fields and draft a different quarterback. The Bears eventually dealt the pick to Carolina, passing on the opportunity to draft C.J. Stroud, who is having an impressive rookie season in Houston.

Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus wanted to build around Fields, remove the excuses, and see if he could take a big step forward as a passer in 2023.

The season didn’t start as planned. The third-year quarterback struggled early on and admitted to playing “robotic.” Fields appeared to get back on track in Weeks 4 and 5 before dislocating his right thumb in Week 6.

Since returning in Week 11, Fields has played well in the two games since his return. He has shown some improvement with pocket presence and escaping with a passer’s mentality by keeping his eyes downfield after being flushed from the pocket.

Fields has been inconsistent as a passer this season. Some of that can be attributed to questionable play-calling and a constantly changing offensive line picture.

But a lot of the issues fall at Fields’ feet.

The Bears will look at the entirety of the Fields’ three seasons when evaluating him as a franchise quarterback option going forward.

The feeling in league circles is that the Bears will move on from Fields after the season if they have a top-two pick. Fields has shown flashes and has exceptional athleticism, but that’s just enough to get people fired for sticking with him too long and not enough to pass on either Williams or Maye, both of whom are viewed as elite NFL quarterback prospects.

Fields has five games to change the Bears’ mind.

Five games of consistent, high-level passing and playmaking could change the course of the Bears’ offseason plans.

It’s easy to be enticed by Williams or Maye. But quarterback evaluation is an inexact science. Having Fields remove doubt that he’s the long-term answer behind center would provide the Bears with a world of options when it comes to the draft. If the Bears don’t have to use their first pick on a quarterback, that should allow them to travel the safe road with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

But if Fields can’t silence the doubts, then the Bears have to go with either Williams or Maye.

Braxton Jones

After Fields, Jones might be the player with the most riding on the final five games of the season.

Two blue-chip left tackles are slated to be in the 2024 NFL Draft class in Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu.

The Bears locked down the right tackle position in the last draft with the selection of Darnell Wright. They entered the season hoping Jones would solidify himself as their franchise left tackle, allowing them to check off an import box in their rebuilding project.

Jones worked all offseason on getting stronger against the bull rush, which was his biggest weakness during his rookie season.

That work showed up early in the season, but Jones struggled with mental mistakes and hand placement. Then came a neck injury that cost him six games.

Since returning to action in Week 9, Jones has allowed just 10 pressures in 140 pass-blocking snaps.

On the season, Jones has allowed just 14 pressures and one sack while being penalized seven times.

Jones will be part of the Bears’ plan going forward. He’s a talented tackle that the Bears believe has left-right versatility.

But if he can cement himself as the franchise left tackle, that could allow the Bears to focus elsewhere in the first round, be it edge rusher, wide receiver, or defensive tackle. If doubt remains about Jones after the season finale, the Bears will have a tough time passing on Alt or Fashanu in Round 1.

Matt Eberflus

The Bears’ head coach might be the biggest pivot point in the road ahead.

From the outside, Eberflus’ seat appeared to be warming early in the season. But I don’t think it was ever as hot as everyone believed, and it’s likely cooled, given the Bears’ improved play over the past eight weeks.

The Bears are 4-4 in their last eight games, and the defense has continued to improve under his direction as play-caller. The Bears’ defense now leads the NFL in run defense and ranks ninth in yards allowed per game. The Bears are two blown leads away from being 6-6 and right in the thick of the playoff race.

As dysfunctional as things have appeared at times, I don’t get the sense that those inside Halas Hall view things the same way the general public does. The Bears have already won more games than last year and should be in line to win at least two more games down the stretch.

If the Bears move on from Eberflus after the season, it likely means Fields is gone as well, and Poles is looking for a full reset with a new staff picking their own quarterback. (This is how functioning organizations do things, which might be foreign to the Bears.)

If that’s the case, the Bears’ draft path becomes clear.

But if the Bears continue to play well and Eberflus earns Year 3, there’s a good chance that Fields was a big reason why and might have done enough to allow the Bears to utilize their first-round draft picks by adding talent around him (Harrison, Alt, Fashanu, Brock Bowers, etc.)

The coaching situation at the season’s end will play a big role in how the Bears attack the draft.

Bryce Young

The final domino in the Bears’ draft puzzle is the guy they elected to pass on in 2023.

Young landed in the worst situation possible for a young quarterback. His weapons don’t separate, his line is beyond leaky, and his head coach was fired after 11 games.

The Panthers are an abject disaster and are hurtling toward a doomsday scenario where they hand the Bears the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Carolina is horrible. No doubt.

But you should never underestimate the mediocrity of the NFL.

The Panthers were close to knocking off the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday. They have games against the Saints, Falcons, and Buce remaining. All of those teams are capable of laying a stinker.

Can Young drag the Panthers to one or two more wins down the stretch to push Carolina out of the No. 1 spot? The New England Patriots have completely cratered and are projected to likely finish with a lower strength of schedule than Carolina. If the two teams finish with the same record, the Patriots would receive the better selection.

Getting the No. 2 pick would still be a massive win for Poles and the Bears, but it could also drastically alter how they approach the selection and their quarterback future.

While many might see Williams and Maye as worth a top-two pick, the Bears’ pre-draft evaluation could lead them to believe only one is worth the selection. If that signal-caller were to go No. 1, the Bears would have to go to Plan B.

The Panthers are dreadful, but Young has already beaten a good Texans team. Anything can happen in the NFL. If anything happens one more time for the Panthers, the Bears’ plans could be irrevocably altered.

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Week 13 of the NFL season was all about the showdown in Philadelphia.

Turns out, it wasn’t much of a showdown.

After being stuck in neutral in the first quarter, the 49ers hit the gas and dump trucked the Eagles 42-19. When fully healthy, the Niners are in a tier by themselves.

In Green Bay, Jordan Love continues to deal. Love completed 25-of-36 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns as the Packers knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football” to elevate their playoff chances to 65 percent.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions continue to have issues closing games, the Dolphins keep dismantling bad teams, the Texans’ other star rookie shined, and the Patriots are bringing losing to an art form.

Here’s where each team stands after Week 13:

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3): The 49ers talked a lot of trash after their NFC title game loss to the Eagles, and then they rolled into Philadelphia on Sunday and delivered a back-alley beatdown to the defending conference champions. The rematch was no contest. The title favorites made a Super Bowl statement in the City of Brotherly Love.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2): The Eagles were due for a smacking, given how they’ve played over the last month. The 49ers are a bad matchup for them with their current crop of safeties and linebackers. They’ll likely see the Niners again, but I’m not sure the result will be any different.
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The AFC is wide-open for Lamar Jackson to finally deliver come playoff time. The Ravens have what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but they’ll have to banish their postseason demons to do so.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): The Chiefs have flaws that even Patrick Mahomes and Taylor Swift can’t wipe away. Kansas City still belongs in the “legitimate contender” tier, but the Chiefs are more vulnerable than they have been in years past.
5. Dallas Cowboys (9-3): In his last seven games, Dak Prescott has thrown for 2,173 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just two interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his passes. With games against the Eagles, Bills, Dolphins, and Lions on deck, the Cowboys quarterback has the opportunity to vault himself to the top of the MVP conversation over the next four weeks.
6. Miami Dolphins (9-3): Brock Purdy tops my MVP ballot as of Dec. 3, but Tyreek Hill has a great case to be the first wide receiver in NFL history to win the award.
7. Detroit Lions (9-3): Detroit continues to be unable to put teams away. The Lions roared out to a 21-0 lead against the Saints on Sunday but allowed New Orleans to claw back to within one score in the second half. Aaron Glenn’s defense has some issues that need to be solved yesterday if they want to be a realistic threat in the playoffs.
8. Houston Texans (7-5): The Texans’ defense saved the day against the Broncos on Sunday. Rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. had two sacks and two tackles for loss, while second-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. picked off Russell Wilson twice. If DeMeco Ryans’ defense continues to ascend, the Texans are going to give someone hell on Wild Card Weekend.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): It’s a good thing the NFL doesn’t have a playoff committee like college football or else Trevor Lawrence’s ankle injury would have removed them from postseason consideration. In all seriousness, if Lawrence’s injury is as severe as it looked, the season is over in Duval and these rankings will reflect a C.J. Beathard-led Jags team moving forward.
10. Buffalo Bills (6-6): Buffalo will exit its bye in 10^th place in the AFC but just one game out of the No. 7 seed in the loss column. The Bills face a tough schedule down the stretch with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Chargers on top. Josh Allen will have to put on his Super-Man cape and not take it off to get Buffalo back to the dance.
11. Los Angeles Rams (6-6): The Rams’ win over the Browns got them to 6-6 and raised their chances of making the playoffs to 47 percent, according to ESPN. LA owns the tie-breaker over the Seahawks and will only face one team with a winning record the rest of the way. That comes next week against the Ravens. If Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams can stay healthy, the Rams should be right there at the end of the month.
12. Cleveland Browns (7-5): Joe Flacco played pretty well in his Cleveland debut. Whether Cleveland rolls with Flacco or turns back to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Browns should be able to punch their postseason ticket thanks to games against the Bears, Jets, and Bengals to end the season.
13. Green Bay Packers (6-6): The Packers’ demise lasted all of six weeks. Jordan Love has been dealing for a month, looking like the franchise quarterback the Packers drafted to replace Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay stays blessed.
14. Indianapolis Colts (7-5): In their first game since Jonathan Taylor’s thumb injury, the Colts rushed for just 55 yards on Sunday against the Titans. Indianapolis needs to find a way to get the ground game going while Taylor is out to help make life easier on the erratic gunslinger Gardner Minshew.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5): The Steelers were pushed around by the Arizona Cardinals at home Sunday and lost quarterback Kenny Pickett and guard Isaac Seumalo in the process. Pickett was wearing a boot on the sideline, which likely signals Mitchell Trubisky will get the nod Thursday against the Patriots. Gross.
16. Denver Broncos (6-6): The Broncos’ five-game winning streak was buoyed by a plus-13 turnover differential. That went the other way Sunday as Russell Wilson threw three interceptions in a critical loss for Denver’s playoff hopes. The Broncos’ chances aren’t dead, but they’ll likely need some help down the stretch to make the postseason.
17. Seattle Seahawks (6-6): Seattle dropped out of the NFC playoff picture on Sunday and will face an uphill climb to get back in it. The Seahawks face the 49ers and Eagles in the next two weeks. Barring an upset, Seattle will be 6-8 with three games left and lose the tie-breaker to the Rams. Uphill, Pete Carroll trudges.
18. Minnesota Vikings (6-6): The Joshua Dobbs pixie dust ran out last week against the Bears, and now Kevin O’Connell faces a big decision at quarterback as the Vikings exit the bye week. Rookie Jaren Hall was the first name O’Connell mentioned after the loss to the Bears. Will Minnesota put its playoff hopes in the fifth-round pick’s hands?
19. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6): The Jets would go 12/5 if they had Jake Browning.
20. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): The Falcons are alone atop the NFC South after a win over the Tim Boyle/Trevor Siemian Frankenstein Jets. Atlanta put up fewer than 200 yards of offense on Sunday. Desmond Ridder and Co. have to find a way to be more consistent if they want to win the NFL’s worst division.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7): Lost in the tornado of Brandon Staley discourse this season is that Kellen Moore turned into a pumpkin at offensive coordinator. The Bolts need to clean house this offseason after wasting Justin Herbert’s rookie contract.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7): Death, taxes, and Mike Evans record 1,000-yard seasons. The Bucs star made it 10 straight Sunday, tying him with Randy Moss for the second-most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history. Jerry Rice, of course, stands alone above them.
23. New Orleans Saints (5-7): Derek Carr once again left the game with a shoulder injury and to get checked for a concussion. Carr was booed by Saints fans early in the game. It’s time, Saints. Put the keys in Jameis Winston’s hands.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7): Give Antonio Pierce credit for stabilizing the ship in Sin City. I don’t think it’s going to be enough to get him the full-time job, though. Mark Davis will go big fish hunting again.
25. Chicago Bears (4-8): The Bucs’ win over the Panthers and the Cardinals’ win over the Steelers bumped the Bears’ chances of getting the No. 1 overall pick via Carolina, over 70 percent. Bears stay hot on the bye week.
26. New York Jets (4-8): Aaron Rodgers’ “comeback” is all but over after the Jets’ loss to the Falcons. At least we can bury that storyline.
27. Arizona Cardinals (3-10): The Cardinals head into the bye week after a convincing win over the Steelers at The Big Mustard Bottle. At 3-10 and with the Panthers and Patriots in full tank mode, the Cardinals’ win Sunday might be what takes them out of the Caleb Williams-Drake Maye sweepstakes and keeps Kyler Murray in the desert for at least one more season.
28. New York Giants (4-8): After a so-so start to his NFL career, Tommy DeVito authored back-to-back good outings in wins over the Commanders and Patriots. His agent also told NFL Media that the undrafted rookie turned down significantly more money from Washington in order to play for the hometown Giants. Cult hero status is rising.
29. Tennessee Titans (4-8): The Titans lost four key players Sunday against the Colts and missed an extra point that would have given them the lead with 5:25 to play. They lost in overtime. Woof.  
30. Washington Commanders (4-9): Paddleboard Ron Rivera took over as defensive play-caller this week, and it didn’t change a thing. The Dolphins scored 24 points in the first half en route to a 45-15 win. The Commanders have now lost nine of their last 11 games. That’s about all she wrote for Rivera in D.C.
31. New England Patriots (2-10): The Patriots have now lost three straight games in which the opponent has scored 10 points or fewer. No team has done that since 1938. Drake Maye, come on down!
32. Carolina Panthers (1-11): The Panthers were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. Carolina’s biggest problem is that it can’t fire or cut bait with the organization’s biggest issue: owner David Tepper.

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“We want to get our young guys more and more playing time,” Eberflus said. “If they’re effective and produce, we certainly will play them. You guys know that.”

The Bears have spoken highly of Smith all year even though Stevenson won the starting outside corner job opposite Jaylon Johnson out of training camp. He impressed enough in practice and in his limited game experience to earn snaps in a rotation with Stevenson in Week 11. Smith was then a standout performer in his spot start for Stevenson in Week 12.

Rotating Stevenson and Smith is an interesting decision for a coach who some believe is on the hot seat. Prioritizing player development with a rookie rotation compared to playing the starters all the time indicates that Eberflus might not feel outside pressure to win right now. It will also give the team valuable tape to evaluate as they engage in negotiations with Johnson. If Smith and Stevenson each continue to improve and play at a high level, it could make the team confident enough to move on without paying Johnson a huge contract.

Over seven games and three starts Smith has surrendered a 63% completion rate and 89.9 QB rating when targeted. He’s also made impressive tackles in the open field to prevent first downs and explosive gains. Stevenson has been put into the line of fire more often as a starter, and he’s noticeably improved as the season has progressed. Stevenson has given up a 67% completion rate and 112.5 QB rating when targeted. Stevenson also has one interception.

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They are playing the best ball of the Matt Eberflus era, and there’s no way of knowing if head coach Matt Eberflus or quarterback Justin Fields will be in Chicago in 2024.

That could put some added pressure on a 4-8 team exiting a late-season bye. The Bears feel that their final five games are winnable and that an unlikely playoff berth could be in the cards if they run the table.

Whether or not that becomes reality, it’s no secret that how these final five weeks play out will play a significant role in determining the future of Fields, Eberflus, and the franchise’s direction. The veterans on the team are cognizant of that as they prepare for a home stretch that starts with Sunday’s visit from the Detroit Lions.

“That is the business we’re in,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said Monday at Halas Hall. “I think no matter what, it’s kind of always there. But at the end of the day, we’re here to win games and we’re here to be the best football players we can be. That’s something we have to do. That is our job. That is what we’re here for. I think our team is understanding that these are important games and we know that if we want to do what we’ve gotta do, we’ve gotta win ‘em. And we’re excited about that. We have the right people in here, the right leaders who understand that and to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Tight end Cole Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension this offseason. The Illinois native is one of the foundational pieces of general manager Ryan Poles’ rebuild. Kmet has offered both honest critiques and strong support for the direction the franchise is headed.

To Kmet, there’s optimism in the Bears’ recent play and how the staff and players overcame the early-season adversity and came through the other side. That has shown up over an eight-game stretch where the Bears went 4-4 but let games against the Lions and New Orleans Saints slip away.

“I think we have been making progress, and I think that’s been showing on tape,” Kmet said Monday. “When you kinda take the results aside — it’s a mix of both because it’s a results league — but if you’re being critical about your play, you just kinda look at the tape and look at the silence of the tape, and that’s kinda what you have to look at and go off of. You can see the progression that’s been going on, whether it’s been in our run scheme or pass pro, guys on routes. You’ve seen the steps there on tape.

“The results haven’t been always what we’ve wanted them to be. We’re optimistic that if we keep grinding away at this thing and keep going at it the way we have been, then the results will start to show up.”

Kmet has already been through a coaching change and a quarterback swap during his Bears tenure. He understands and has heard the noise that change could be coming this offseason if progress isn’t made, maintained, and built on in the right areas.

The best way to make that chatter dissipate is to win.

“I think it’s just taking it one game at a time. You take this thing one game at a time,” Kmet said. “If you focus on the things that matter, and I think that’s winning each and every week and making a push here for playoffs, that’s my mindset with it because there’s still an opportunity to do that, you just focus on the main thing. And then at the end of the season, you let the cards fall where they may. But we’re not worried about that stuff right now, and we’re just taking this thing one game at a time.”

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Eberflus offered a similar answer when asked about his job security Monday, saying he’ll just “put his best foot forward” and believes that will deliver the desired results and keep the arrow pointing up entering a critical offseason.

With two top-five picks potentially waiting for them when the season ends, the Bears need to use these final five games as a fact-finding mission as it pertains to Eberlfus, Fields, and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Should any return? Is it best if the slate is wiped clean? Or are continuity and patience the recipe for success that the Bears should follow?

After facing the Lions on Sunday, the Bears will travel to Cleveland to meet a Browns team leaking oil before returning home to face the lowly Arizona Cardinals and inconsistent Atlanta Falcons. Eberflus, Fields, and Co. will then finish the season on the road at Green Bay in a game that could have playoff implications for the Packers, and, perhaps, the Bears if they can author an unlikely run.

“Obviously I’m treating it like we’re in playoff mode now,” Kmet said. “I think five very winnable games here to end the season. Who knows what can happen at 9-8? I’m not looking too big picture — you take it one week at a time. Look, there’s a lot of flux at the bottom of the NFC here, especially for that seven, six spot. You never know what can happen. You gotta take it one week at a time and we’ll see where it goes.”

Where it goes over the final five games will likely determine where it heads in 2024 and beyond.

Teams that are 4-8 aren’t often playing consequential games in December. That’s not the case for the 2023 Bears.

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If you don’t deliver the desired results, they’ll find someone who will.

Eberflus’ second season as Bears’ head coach got off to the most disastrous start imaginable. The Bears lost their first four games, their defense was the worst in the NFL, and third-year quarterback Justin Fields appeared to be regressing. Throw in the mysterious resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and the Chase Claypool failure, and Eberflus’ seat, at least from the outside looking in, was scalding hot early in October.

But things have taken a positive turn over the past two months. The Bears are 4-4 in their last eight games, the defense has made great strides under Eberflus’ direction, and Fields has shown signs of progress since returning from a dislocated thumb.

The Bears are trending in the right direction as the season hits the home stretch. But there are still whispers about a pending change at head coach. Jim Harbaugh has been mentioned as a potential replacement. Detriot Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a popular name.

Eberflus isn’t oblivious to the importance of the Bears’ final five games to his future but isn’t outwardly buckling under the pressure. This is the life of a coach in the NFL.

“You know the season didn’t start the way everybody wanted, for sure,” Eberflus said Monday at Halas Hall. “But over the last eight weeks, we’ve put some good things out there. We’re certainly excited about doing that this week. Our focus is — as any time in the NFL — is where your feet are. We’ve got to be focused on this game and this game only to put your best foot forward out there, and that’s what we’re doing this week.”

On November 1, general manager Ryan Poles gave a strong statement in support of Eberflus as the then-2-6 Bears navigated a wave of adversity after the dismissal of running backs coach David Walker.

“What I see every day, where I see him address the team and I see his approach through adversity, it is stable, man,” Poles said. “And I know in the outside world, it doesn’t look like that. And I know it looks like we’re far away. But this dude comes in every day and just keeps chipping away. He has high integrity. The people that he brings in here, he’s done the work to make sure that they’re the people they’re supposed to be. Again, we hold that standard. If it doesn’t follow that and people aren’t acting that way, they’re not here.

“But the way he holds everything down here is incredible for how loud it is, how tough it is. I mean, this team, you watch them, they fight. I know this past weekend wasn’t great, but you can’t watch that team and be like, oh, they’re going to fold. Most teams fold, and they’re not folding. It’s been hard. It’s been really hard, especially from where we started last year, trying to build this and do it the right way. What I see from him on a daily basis and how he gets this team ready on a weekly basis, to me, I see a grown man that has leadership skills to get this thing out of the hole and into where it needs to be.”

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On Monday, Eberflus was asked if he felt that his job was safe, given Poles’ public backing. The head coach reverted to his previous answer, understanding that if the arrow keeps pointing up for the final five games, he’ll likely avoid the axe.

“What you can focus on is leadership, and the first rule of leadership is leading yourself,” Eberflus said. “Come to work every day, put the plans together — offense, defense, special teams — lead the football team, help the leadership council, lead the football team as well, because true leadership comes from within. I think that’s really what you focus on, and that’s put your best foot forward every single day.”

Those in league circles are split on whether or not Eberflus will get a third season in Chicago. Many factors, including the Bears’ draft position and available replacement candidates, could play a role.

I don’t get the sense that Poles wants to fire Eberflus. I don’t think the 2022 record factors into the equation at all. If we’re being honest, the way a 2022 team, relatively devoid of talent, fought until the end is probably a feather in his cap.

The defensive improvement over the last two months also buoys Eberflus’ case to stay. The Bears now have the NFL’s best run defense and rank ninth in yards allowed.

If the Bears finish strong, there’s a good chance Eberflus returns for 2024.

For now, all he and the Bears can do is put their best foot forward.

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That’s exactly the situation that has played out for the Bears, yet many fans have already written off head coach Matt Eberflus moving forward. They’re happier daydreaming about Jim Harbaugh ditching the Wolverines to come back to the NFL than watching the rest of the season. Understandable considering the Bears have lost more games in excruciating fashion this year, but maybe a bit premature considering the team could still see a 100% improvement from last year to this year.

This year has always been about evaluation for the Bears. Of course winning games is the ultimate goal, and competing for the postseason is always the standard. But first the Bears need to figure out if they are on the right path. Preseason questions really weren’t about what seed the Bears could lock up in the NFC. We were asking if Justin Fields could take the next step in his personal development. Would GM Ryan Poles’ bold moves, like passing on Jalen Carter for Darnell Wright or trading for DJ Moore and Chase Claypool pay off? Would we see signs that Eberflus’ program was contributing to better ball and more wins?

We have some answers already, but in most cases the jury is still out. With five games to go a lot remains unseen and unexpected trends could still develop. We don’t know if the Bears will head into the offseason with a bit of momentum, or if they’ll flounder near the bottom of the standings. The last month of the season could determine the future for this team. However the team has moved in the right direction in a couple of key areas that indicate Eberflus has done well and should get the opportunity to lead the team for at least another season.

From a big picture standpoint, the Bears have simply won more games over the past couple of months, and they’ve done it at a much higher rate. Since their 0-4 start to the season, the Bears have gone 4-4 to dig themselves out of the NFL basement. Normally playing .500 ball isn’t worth celebrating, but it’s notable given last year’s disastrous campaign and the awful start to this season. Going from worst to first does happen in the NFL. However it’s far more common for a team to gradually improve over two or three seasons before seriously contending. Wins against the Panthers, Raiders, Commanders and Vikings might not seem all too impressive, but before the Bears can be the best they have to be not the worst. They’ve already proven to be better than the true bottom of the league and could very well climb higher out of the basement with games against the lowly Cardinals, middling Browns and Falcons, and the hot-and-cold Packers left.

Part of the reason the Bears have managed to win more games recently is because key players still buy into Eberflus’ vision and methodology. Eberflus has not lost the locker room, even after gut-wrenching losses. In particular, the Bears could have completely collapsed after their losses to the Broncos and the Lions. In each case the Bears let what seemed like a sure win through their fingers in the late stages of the game. Those moments can send teams into tailspins, but the Bears followed up each of those awful losses with wins. That speaks to Eberflus’ ability to keep the team together.

Getting into the nitty gritty, Eberflus has also done well to improve a key facet on his side of the ball. In just one year, he’s helped to transform the run defense from one of the worst units in the league to one of the best. Big personnel additions like Andrew Billings, T.J. Edwards and Montez Sweat have helped. So has the development of young players like Kyler Gordon. But Eberflus deserves credit for putting those players in a position to succeed. When Eberflus took over defensive coordinator duties in Week 2, he called a more aggressive game. Eberflus dialed up more blitzes and exotic personnel packages. It helped. In 2022 the Bears ranked dead last in rushing touchdowns (31) and first downs allowed (151), 31st in rushing yards allowed (2,674) and tied for 26th in yards per carry allowed (5.0). This year they rank tied for first in rushing yards allowed (948) and first downs allowed (58), second in yards per carry allowed (3.4), and tied for third in rushing touchdowns allowed (6). That kind of turnaround deserves praise.

Again, there is still plenty of football left to be played. If the Bears slide back again it’s fair to question whether Eberflus should be the guy to lead the team in 2024. Problem areas like the large number of penalties the team commits week after week deserve scrutiny. But if the Bears win a couple of more games and if the defense continues to play well, then Eberflus should probably stick around for at least another year.

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While the Bears are technically still “in the hunt” for the playoffs, their chances of making a run for the postseason are really a pipedream. So why not take a look at the upcoming crop of rookie talent to see who may help the team moving forward?

We’ve done several mock drafts already, including scenarios where the Bears select Caleb Williams or Drake Maye to take over at quarterback. We’ve also explored what it may look like if the Bears decide to stick with Justin Fields and trade away the No. 1 overall pick for a second year in a row. We’re gonna go down that last route again in this mock draft.

As always, this mock draft is not an attempt to predict what the Bears will actually do when they’re back in the War Room next offseason. That’s impossible. This mock draft is meant as an opportunity to dig into some of the intriguing college prospects this season, and how those players may fit in Chicago.

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Rather than moving up for a quarterback in 2021, the Patriots let Mac Jones fall to them. This time they act aggressively to get their guy. Bears GM Ryan Poles had better offers for the No. 1 pick, but he takes a smaller haul to ensure he doesn’t miss on a dynamite player at No. 2.

NO. 2: MARVIN HARRISON JR. – WIDE RECEIVER – OHIO STATE

The Bears opt to build around Fields by drafting the best wide receiver in this year’s class. Harrison Jr. can do it all and beats defenses in a variety of ways. He’s great off the line, he’s a wonderful route runner and boasts phenomenal hands when catching the ball. Beyond the raw talent and technique, Harrison Jr. has also been lauded for his top-notch work ethic and supreme competitive drive. He’s as blue-chip as blue-chip gets. Harrison Jr. and DJ Moore give the Bears a serious one-two punch at wide receiver.

NO. 5: DALLAS TURNER – EDGE – ALABAMA

Turner hasn’t generated the same hype that Will Anderson did last season, but he’s a productive pass rusher in his own right. Turner has the speed to make tackles in pursuit, the side-to-side agility to keep ball carriers in front of him and the strength to shed blocks. Even though he’s listed as an outside linebacker, Turner has plenty of experience rushing with a hand in the dirt, which is important to play defensive end in Matt Eberflus’ scheme. He should be able to make the transition to defensive end without any trouble. Turner leads the Crimson Tide with 10 sacks and 14.5 TFL. Turner is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which recognizes the best defensive player in the nation.

NO. 66: ROD MOORE – SAFETY – MICHIGAN

Eddie Jackson only has one year left on his current deal, and hasn’t been able to stay on the field due to a nagging foot injury, so the Bears need to start thinking about a replacement safety. Right now, Elijah Hicks has been the man to fill in when Jackson is out, but the team will likely want to bring in more young talent to compete for the starting free safety job. Moore has shown the ball-hawking skills that the Bears covet on defense with six interceptions over the past two seasons. His solid 6.8% missed tackle rate will please the defensive coaches too.

NO. 69: JOHNNY WILSON – WIDE RECEIVER – FLORIDA STATE

If the Bears decide to move on from Darnell Mooney this offseason, they’ll need to add a couple of wide receivers, not just Harrison Jr. Wilson entered the season as a potential first-round prospect, but his stock has fallen over the year due to a propensity for drops and some lackluster production. But Poles loves prospects with traits you can’t teach, and Wilson comes in with a monster 6’7”, 237 lbs frame. He uses that body well for contested catches and jump balls. With DJ Moore and Harrison Jr. in the mix, Wilson also has a better chance to thrive as a No. 3 or 4 option.

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Keep Justin Fields? Or, move off of him and look to the draft or free agency?

One former Bears player was steadfast about the Bears keeping Fields on the Pardon My Take podcast.

“Leave f—— Justin alone. Leave Justin alone,” former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “Get the coaching system right … Justin can be special. Justin is special. Now, put him in the right situation. Leave him alone. Leave him alone.”

Marshall incredulously said he wasn’t aware of how the coaching operates in the room. He didn’t want to speak for the behind-the-scenes part of Fields and the Bears.

But, he feels Fields has enough talent to be a special quarterback for the Bears. Cam Newton chimed in by saying athletic quarterbacks, like Fields, are left in the shadows by traditional, pocket-passing quarterbacks.

Newton’s contention on how some NFL teams run a traditional offense shows how it hurts a dual-threat quarterback. Simply, NFL teams don’t make it easy enough for their quarterbacks and ask too much of them for a skillset they might not possess yet.

In eight games this season, Fields has thrown for just shy of 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has a 64.4% completion percentage and has added to his stat sheet dutifully on the ground, rushing for 400 yards and another touchdown.

By most metrics of efficiency, this season looks to be a positive year for Fields, improving upon his last two seasons. He holds career highs in passer rating, completion percentage, yards per game, interception percentage and sacks.

On the other hand, the Bears are 4-8 this season and 2-6 under his leadership. Tyson Bagent picked up two wins himself when he subbed in for Fields when he went down with a thumb injury in Week 5. Is Fields the right guy for the job? Or, is questioning his somewhat proven ability a product of today’s NFL.

There are technically five more weeks for Fields to showcase himself to the Bears. Some NFL minds believe the Bears have already made up their decision in that department, however.

“My thought is they probably already know the answer to that,” Troy Aikman said on 670 the Score with Parkins & Spiegel. “I don’t know that what he might show them here at the end of the season is going to affect that decision.”

Has time already run out for Fields? Or, is there a chance he can prove he’s the right guy for the job?

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Are Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles comfortable with keeping Fields as their signal caller? Or, will they be motivated enough by the upcoming draft class or the free agent market to move on?

Whatever they decide, one Hall of Fame quarterback believes the Bears have already made up their minds.

“My thought is they probably already know the answer to that,” Troy Aikman said on 670 the Score with Parkins & Spiegel. “I don’t know that what he might show them here at the end of the season is going to affect that decision.”

In eight games this season, Fields has thrown for just shy of 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has a 64.4% completion percentage and has added to his stat sheet dutifully on the ground, rushing for 400 yards and another touchdown.

By most metrics of efficiency, this season looks to be a positive year for Fields, improving upon his last two seasons. He holds career highs in passer rating, completion percentage, yards per game, interception percentage and sacks.

On the other hand, the Bears are 4-8 this season and 2-6 under his leadership. Tyson Bagent picked up two wins himself when he subbed in for Fields when he went down with a thumb injury in Week 5. Is Fields the right guy for the job? Or, is questioning his somewhat proven ability a product of today’s NFL?

“I think the league is as less patient as it’s ever been,” Aikman said.

Today’s NFL is a quarterback-driven league. No one’s breaking news by saying that. The race to find a franchise quarterback is a race every team competes for at a tooth-and-nail pace.

But not every quarterback comes into their own immediately upon arriving in the NFL. As they mentioned on the show, Terry Bradshaw didn’t take off until his fifth year. Geno Smith just earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his ninth season. Everyone is different.

That begs the question — is it too soon to bail on Fields? Or, do the Bears believe they’ve given him enough time, support and energy to confirm he isn’t their guy. Aikman said it himself, too, the support a young quarterback has around him is essential.

“The quarterbacks in this league, they’re all talented. And Justin Fields is very talented,” Aikman said. “It’s the intangibles. It’s all the other things that ultimately determine whether or not you’re going to have success. Not the mention, the players that you’re going to have around you.”

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Spearheaded by right tackle Darnell Wright, the Bears entered the season believing they would get meaningful contributions from most of their rookies.

Wright, along with second-round cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, were penciled in as Day 1 starters, with defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and running back Roschon Johnson expected to contribute heavily in rotational roles.

With two-thirds of the season gone, the Bears have gotten impressive returns from some members of the class while others haven’t popped as expected.

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Here’s the rookie report card as the 4-8 Bears enter December: (Editor’s note: These grades factor in preseason expectations, draft slot, etc., so players that more was expected of will be graded harsher. Linebacker Noah Sewell did not meet the snap requirements for the grading rubric.)

DARNELL WRIGHT, OT

Wright has been through a trial by fire during his rookie season.

The Tennessee right tackle has faced several of the best pass rushers in the NFL, including Maxx Crosby, Khalil Mack, Aidan Hutchinson, Danielle Hunter, Rashan Gary, Shaq Barrett, Chris Jones, Chase Young, and now teammate Montez Sweat.

Wright has held his own in those battles but also taken some lumps that will serve him well down the line.

“He’s going to take off, man. He’s going to keep getting better,” offensive line coach Chris Morgan said. “It’s because of the kind of kid he is. He likes to play and compete. He wants to win every rep.

“The more he plays, the better he’ll get.”

Per Pro Football Focus, Wright has given up 38 pressures and six sacks in 454 pass-blocking opportunities this season. That’s the most pressures allowed by any rookie tackle with at least 250 pass-blocking snaps. The six sacks are tied with Arizona Cardinals rookie Paris Johnson Jr. for the most among rookies.

Those 38 pressures allowed are tied for the fifth most among all tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps. The six sacks allowed are tied for fourth most among all tackles.

But Wright has performed well given the quality of rusher he has faced on a weekly basis this season and has improved after a rocky start.

Wright allowed 20 pressures and three sacks in the first five games of the season. He has only allowed 12 pressures and three sacks in the last five.

He has also been a pretty good run-blocker, especially during a midseason stretch when Teven Jenkins was on his immediate left at right guard.

Wright hasn’t been perfect, but he has shown consistent improvement and held his own against several of the top rushers in the league. He’ll only get better.

GRADE: B+

TYRIQUE STEVENSON, CB

Stevenson is another talented rookie who has taken his lumps so far this season.

Rookie cornerbacks almost always face a steep learning curve when they enter the league. They have to adjust to the speed of the game and the way it’s officiated. They are also constantly targeted, especially when playing opposite a proven cover corner as Stevenson is with Jaylon Johnson.

Per PFF, the Miami product has been targeted 73 times in 11 games. That’s the fifth most among all cornerbacks. Stevenson has allowed 52 catches for 513 yards and seven touchdowns. Those rank third, 14th, and tied for first among corners with at least 275 coverage snaps.

The Bears expected Stevenson to have a lot of learning moments. But he has played his best ball of late, including a stellar game in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions in which he was only targeted once while notching an interception and forcing a fumble on special teams.

The Bears believe the light bulb is on.

“It’s been really good. It’s been solid,” head coach Matt Eberflus said of Stevenson’s growth. “You play corner in the NFL as a rookie, first of all, they’re going to highlight you and they’re going to come at you the first half of the season. They’re going to test your water and see what it’s like. And I think he’s responded. He’s had some battles. He’s lost some of those battles. He’s won a good portion of those. The biggest thing with him is you have to learn. You have to keep learning and put it in your file so you become a better pro.

“What’s really good about him is he plays one play at a time. He flushes the play and goes to the next one, good, bad, or indifferent. That’s what you have to be as a corner — you have to have a short memory and keep moving. Every single week, it’s a different set. Every single down, it’s a different set of people you’re covering. Everybody puts a different set of circumstances in front of you in terms of their skill level. He’s learned how to adapt his skill to the people he’s covering and what’s effective against that particular receiver.”

Stevenson’s grade takes a ding for the expected rookie corner moments, but there’s reason for optimism for his long-term prospects.

GRADE C+

GERVON DEXTER, DT

Dexter was always going to be a project for the Bears.

Chicago drafted the Florida defensive tackle in the second round with an eye toward the future. The Bears knew they needed to rework his stance and improve his get-off. The tools are there with Dexter but the Bears were careful to preach patience.

Dexter has shown some flashes during his rookie season, but he hasn’t been able to make a consistent impact as a pass rusher or run-stopper.

On the season, Dexter has just 17 pressures and has not recorded a sack, per PFF. Ten of those 17 pressures came in two games, with Dexter finding “his fastball” against the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions.

The Florida product does have the second-best pass-rush win percentage among qualified rookie defensive tackles at 11.7 percent, per PFF. That number trails only Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Carter.

Dexter is only averaging 24 snaps per game while rotating in behind Justin Jones and nose tackle Andrew Billings so there’s reason to believe more production will come with more snaps next season.

The Bears “graded the flashes” when they drafted Dexter. The flashes have been impressive, but they need to become the norm.

GRADE: C

ZACCH PICKENS, DT

The other half of the Bears’ defensive tackle draft haul, Pickens has played sparingly this season.

Through 12 games, he is averaging just under 15 snaps per game. He has notched just four pressures and one sack this season, per PFF.

Pickens has also been a subpar run defender.

The belief was that Pickens’ quick get-off would allow him to make a more immediate impact than Dexter.

That hasn’t happened, and it appears there’s a lot more work to be done.

GRADE: D

Roschon Johnson, RB

The Bears set the bar high for Johnson right out of the gate, with talk of him being a foundational pillar taking place minutes after they selected the Texas running back.

Johnson quickly overtook D’Onta Foreman in the running back pecking order but has yet to have a breakout performance.

Johnson has rushed 54 times for 232 yards and one touchdown on the season. He is averaging 4.30 yards per attempt on just over five carries per game. Johnson has also caught 24 passes for 131 yards and done a solid job in pass protection.

Johnson is a tough runner who will be a staple of the Bears backfield. The production will come with more opportunities.

GRADE: B+

Tyler Scott, WR

Scott’s role increased when the Bears jettisoned Chase Claypool in Week 5.

The speedy receiver has 10 catches for 81 yards on just 19 targets this season. Scott has only one drop but quarterback have a passer rating of just 41.8 when targeting him, per PFF. That probably says more about the Bears’ disjointed passing offense than it does Scott’s ability.

A former running back, Scott still is very early in his wide receiver education.

As such, there have been good moments and bad.

One week after making a critical catch on fourth down against the Carolina Panthers, Scott “misjudged” a deep pass from quarterback Justin Fields that would have sealed a win over the Lions. Detroit came back to win the game in the final minute.

Scott will get better with more reps. He’s a hard worker who wants to be great and has the full confidence of the locker room.

GRADE: C

Terell Smith, CB

The Bears and specifically head coach Matt Eberflus have gushed about Smith since he arrived for rookie minicamp.

Despite missing most of the offseason program with an injury, Smith entered training camp in a battle with Stevenson to be the No. 2 outside corner. Another injury allowed Stevenson to claim the spot, but Smith has gotten a decent amount of time this season both before and after a bout with mono.

In six games this season, Smith has played 228 snaps (157 coverage), per PFF.

On the season, Smith has given up 16 catches on 25 targets for 160 yards. Opposing quarterbacks have a rating of 82.1 when targeting him.

Smith has been sticky in coverage and a sure tackler in the run game.

He could very well wind up being a draft steal.

GRADE: B+

Tyson Bagent, QB

Bagent stole the show in the preseason and proved he belonged during a four-week stretch where he stepped in for an injured Fields.

The undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 862 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions in those four-plus games.

Bagent operated the offense efficiently and went 2-2 as a starter. He played his best ball during the first three quarters in New Orleans before turning the ball over three times in the final stanza.

The turnovers obviously need to be cleaned up. That goes without saying.

But Bagent made quick decisions, was accurate, and showed tremendous poise.

At the very least, the Bears found a competent backup who they can trust to handle things should his number be called.

“We never put ceiling on players, but we certainly like where his floor is because the sky’s the limit for everybody,” Eberflus said of Bagent. “You never want to do that. Guys can grow into certain spaces that they didn’t even think they could. So, you have to give them that opportunity, but we certainly like where he is right now.”

GRADE: B+

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