Bears’ Fields named PFF Rookie of the Week

The Bears fell disappointingly to the 49ers on Sunday, but it wasn’t because of their quarterback. If anything, Chicago only had a shot at overcoming a superior team thanks to the stellar efforts of Justin Fields.

Those efforts — 175 yards passing and one touchdown, 103 yards rushing, and one touchdown — have been recognized by Pro Football Focus, who have named Fields their NFL Rookie of the Week.

One has to believe that that touchdown run being quite electric factored into the decision.

While Fields has plenty of moments where he flashes the ability that prompted the Bears to trade up and draft him at No. 11 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, his rookie year has mostly been a struggle so far. Not that anyone should be surprised, as he is a rookie, but there have been many valleys compared to peaks for the young quarterback.

Sunday felt like a dramatic step in the right direction. It seemed like Fields was more comfortable than usual, and he certainly made a lot more flash plays than anything that placed the Bears in outright danger. It might be a while before everything comes together, and he’s playing this way week in and week out, but it’s still encouraging.

For now, Fields is the Rookie of the Week. You can’t argue with that.