Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields unsurprisingly defends Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Week 5 started out as bad as it possibly could have for the Chicago Bears.

Going down 21-3 in a hurry and looking like it was only going to get worse, the Bears had their backs up against a wall. However, second-year quarterback Justin Fields wasn’t about to let that happen.

Having one of his best and most-improved games as a pro, Fields helped lead the Bears back to take the lead late in the game. But, a fumble by wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette on the Bears’ final drive put an end to any hopes of a victory.

It is the play everyone will be talking about all week long, and some even want Smith-Marsette to be cut. Yet, Fields took the high road when asked about the game-altering fumble.

Justin Fields showed tremendous class when speaking on his teammate, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and the Chicago Bears’ loss to Minnesota.

https://twitter.com/vikings/status/1579212357276151810?s=46&t=pWyYDjFIEdeOMD6zAJdhmw

When asked about the play that changed the outcome of the game, Fields had this to say:

"“Yeah, it’s tough. But I know Ihmir. I know he’s feeling down right now. So, our job is to pick him up. And he’s a great player. Me, personally, I know what he can do on the field. He’s young… second year. He’s just got to learn from that mistake; keep going. But he can be one hell of a player in this league for sure.”"

Now, on one hand, not many fans could argue with the Bears if they chose to cut Smith-Marsette. Within context, that play was about as selfish as a player could have made it. Smith-Marsette should have gone out of bounds, as he even admitted to after the game.

Instead, he chose to not only take more time off the clock but risk it all — and he lost.

But, on the other hand, it sure is a positive to see such leadership from Fields’ perspective. There are quarterbacks in this league who may not have taken the same approach when asked about a play like this one. Veteran quarterbacks like, say, Aaron Rodgers, might have chose a short-winded answer out of frustration.

That’s not Fields, though. Despite Smith-Marsette being a late addition to this Bears roster as training camp and preseason came to a close, Fields treated him as though he’s been here all along.

Leadership and integrity count for something in this league, and the Bears have that in their starting quarterback.