The Chicago Bears’ 2021 season will come to a detailed on Sunday after they face the Minnesota Vikings. With a 6-10 mark heading into the ultimate recreation of the 12 months, the playoffs have eluded the Bears this time round and can merely be enjoying out the string once they take the sphere at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Once they do kick off in opposition to their division foe, nevertheless, they are going to have the quarterback the franchise hopes will finally lead them past Week 18 underneath middle within the seasons to come back.
On Wednesday, head coach Matt Nagy instructed reporters that the plan is for Justin Fields to start out within the regular-season finale. The primary-round rookie has missed the previous two video games as a result of an ankle damage and as long as he would not endure a setback at follow this week main as much as the matchup, he’ll lead the offense on Sunday, per Nagy.
“He is put numerous effort and time into this 12 months, into creating and turning into a greater quarterback,” Nagy mentioned, via the official team website. “What this can allow him to do is end on a excessive notice and do the whole lot he can to have an awesome week of follow mentally, bodily, be there for his teammates, which I feel says so much for these guys.”
Fields was taken with the No. 11 general decide in final 12 months’s draft by the Bears, who traded as much as choose the Ohio State product. In 12 appearances, he has proven flashes of his potential even when that has not resulted in wins for Chicago, which is 2-8 in his 10 begins.
“These guys are battling,” mentioned Nagy. “No matter our document proper now, you are seeing gamers that need to play. You are seeing gamers that care about their job. You see gamers that care about their teammates. You see gamers that care about profitable. Justin’s part of that. And though bodily he hasn’t been capable of [play], he is nonetheless part of it with us as a group. To have the ability to come out right here and hopefully get him wholesome to the place he might help us win a recreation, I feel it could be nice for him to try this. And once more, that is all we are able to ask for from him.”
Whereas Fields is the clear future underneath middle for the Bears heading out of 2021 and into 2022, the identical cannot be mentioned for Nagy, who in all chance be eliminated as head coach as soon as Chicago’s season formally involves a detailed. So, not solely would a powerful effort by Fields finish his rookie 12 months on a excessive notice, however it might additionally finish Nagy’s period extra positively, as nicely.
