MINNEAPOLIS — Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy raised some eyebrows final week when he mentioned quarterback Justin Fields did not have a foul first month, regardless of each important stat suggesting in any other case.

Getsy identified that he noticed Fields bettering each week, and on Sunday, the stats supported his perspective. Fields set private highs with a 71.4% completion share and 118.8 passer score.

It wasn’t sufficient to guide the Bears to victory, as a late turnover by vast receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette helped seal the Minnesota Vikings‘ 29-22 victory.

After the Bears fell in a 21-3 gap within the second quarter, Fields turned it on within the second half, finishing 12 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a landing.

Fields was poised within the pocket within the second half, decisive along with his throws, quieting the criticism he is confronted — at the least for the second — for leaving receivers open and making the mistaken name.

“I feel after I first obtained right here, you see huge guys flying round, D-linemen going quick,” mentioned the second-year professional. “You simply assume you need to pace all the things up, however I am simply beginning to determine you bought to play inside your personal rhythm, and the way in which you know the way to play and staying calm within the pocket.”

Fields made no huge errors and did not flip the ball over.

First-year coach Matt Eberflus mentioned it was the most effective performances of the quarterback’s profession.

With 2 minutes, 26 seconds to play after Minnesota took the 29-22 lead, Fields hit Smith-Marsette for a 15-yard achieve close to midfield. Had it not been for Smith-Marsette attempting to get an additional couple of yards as an alternative of getting out of bounds, a call that led to a misplaced fumble and that the receiver referred to as “egocentric,” Chicago might be reflecting on Fields having led a profitable two-minute drive on the street as an alternative of exhibiting enchancment in a loss.

“I feel we took a step ahead for positive,” Fields mentioned. “Felt just like the safety was higher at this time. I feel we undoubtedly dealt with their blitz higher than final week, so I felt like we took a step ahead in that.

“Simply total pleased with everyone and the way in which they fought. We had been down 21-3. Lots of groups on this league would’ve laid down and stopped taking part in, however I am pleased with our guys and the way in which they fought.”

Smith-Marsette’s fumble wasn’t the one mistake Chicago will replicate on. Fields had huge good points nullified by pricey errors, together with a 52-yard TD scamper that was referred to as again by an unlawful block within the again, and there have been a handful of dropped passes. However inside these missed alternatives, the Bears are nonetheless in a position to see progress from their younger quarterback, who was environment friendly with higher cross safety.

“It was cleaner,” Eberflus mentioned of the pocket. “He had time to ship. He can see down the sector with out being in a rush and experience the pocket like we talked about final week, in order that’s undoubtedly an encouraging factor to see.”

Like his OC, Fields was inspired on the progress this offense is making. So had been his teammates.

“As an total, I really feel like everyone in the entire offense is elevating proper now, particularly within the passing recreation,” proper guard Teven Jenkins mentioned. “We’d like that, as a result of it’s going to open up the operating recreation, and it will give us extra balanced defenses to go towards as an alternative of individuals loading the field, difficult us.”

There’s nonetheless lots to wash up, however this loss offers Chicago (2-3) hope its quarterback might be coming into a brand new section of his growth. And it in all probability would not harm that their subsequent opponent is the 1-4 Washington Commanders, who’ve given up 11 passing TDs, tied for second worst within the NFL. And opposing QBs common a 103.7 score towards Washington, which is sixth worst within the league.

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