Third-year quarterback Justin Fields had a rough start to the 2023 season, but since returning from injury in Week 11, he’s led the Chicago Bears to two wins in three outings.
Fields has been shaky at times in his career passing the ball, though he’s made some strides down the stretch this season. Where he’s a real threat, however, is running the ball.
He rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2022, and he’s already at 458 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season. But that kind of usage hasn’t come without a cost.
Fields has missed four games this season with a dislocated right thumb, and while injuries can come with the territory of being a mobile quarterback, Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker echoed the sentiments of many Bears fans in saying that the officials are not doing enough to protect Fields from hard hits after the play is dead.
Jaquan Brisker had some strong words about Justin Fields and how he is not getting the same treatment as other quarterbacks.
“If it was us, they would be throwing it. It wouldn’t even be a reaction, they would just throw it. So I just think they should treat him fair. He’s a… pic.twitter.com/bVTIyxfM7P
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) December 11, 2023
Brisker wasn’t the only player who took issue with league officiating this weekend, and the instinct to protect his quarterback, who has the Bears at 5-8 after a 1-5 start to the season, is certainly understandable.