A Chicago Bears insider believes Justin Fields will play vs. Packers

At 3-9, the Chicago Bears do not have a whole lot left to play for this season. But, on Sunday, they’ll have one thing and one thing only: pride.

This Sunday is an all-important matchup in the most stories rivalry in the history of the game. It’s Green Bay Packers week.

This time, the Bears host the Packers in a game that has a couple of question marks when it comes to the quarterback position. For Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers has been playing with a broken thumb — and the veteran has stated he’s going to play against the Bears.

As for Chicago, it’s Justin Fields who has been sidelined the past week with a separated shoulder. After sitting last week in favor of Trevor Siemian getting the start, Fields’ status for Sunday’s game against the Packers is unknown. However, one particular Bears insider believes he knows the eventual status.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will play against the Green Bay Packers, according to one of the most respected names in Chicago media.

Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune appeared on 670 The Score’s Mully and Haugh Show on Thursday morning and had some pretty direct words when asked about Fields’ status for Sunday.

"”I think he plays.”"

Biggs also added that he is more optimistic of Fields playing this weekend than he was last week against New York.

It’s risky business for Fields to consider playing this weekend, considering the Bears’ season is all but over in terms of any postseason hope. Not to mention, Fields has taken quite the beating all year long. He’s been beat up enough in the last few weeks that even newly-acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool has noticed the young quarterback’s resilience.

"“I’m seeing the type of resilience you don’t get from every quarterback, you know?” Claypool said Wednesday. “He is getting beat up and he’s bouncing back on his feet every single time. I think that just shows the kind of leader he is because he wants to see his team win and do well and he knows he’s a big part of that, but he also knows that he has to be smart. There’s a give and take with that.” (via NBC Sports)"

Prior to injuring his shoulder against the Atlanta Falcons, Fields was enjoying a breakout for the ages. He was taking the league by storm, predominantly with his legs. Fields set multiple NFL records this year, one for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a game (breaking MIchael Vick’s previous number) and another for most rushing yards by a quarterback within a 5-game span.

Fields even still finds himself in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing, overall, even after missing a week and starting the season slow. He’s got 834 rushing yards this year, which is nearly double what he had all of last season as a rookie. Should he return soon, Fields will become the first-ever Bears quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Should Fields return on Sunday, fans will be understandably weary of the decision. Risking even more injury to your franchise’s quarterback of the next decade is not an ideal scenario.

But, on the flip side, fans have to admire the fact that Fields wants to play. The fact that he knows this is a rivalry game, and though the season is effectively over, the guy still wants to play. He wants to be out there.

Regardless of risk, you have to respect it.