5 Chicago Bears takeaways from the Week 5 win vs. the Commanders

The second and third takeaways focus on the offensive side of the ball for the Chicago Bears.

2. Caleb Williams? Drake Maye? Not so fast, my friend

Justin Fields, bearer of my football heart. I don’t know what else to say when it comes to Fields, who has the Windy City as well as myself spinning regarding his long-term future with the franchise.

After a great performance against the Denver Broncos that was lost with his late turnovers, Fields could’ve easily let that stink linger on a short week. Instead, Fields went back to work and tossed another four touchdowns in a dazzling performance.

Don’t get me wrong, there is still more to work on for Justin Fields. While this may be a play caller issue, it is worrisome to me what this offense seems to become when they get a safe lead. This offense clearly works better when we’re pushing the ball downfield, and we have to stick with that regardless of what the score is.

I know many Bears faithful had pivoted to the 2024 NFL Draft and began dreaming of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. I’m not saying that isn’t the route we still end up traveling, but for now, Bears fans should be happy to have the uber-talented QB that we currently have in Justin Fields. We may die by his hand, but at least we can also win by his hand.

Oh, yeah, one other related thing I’d like to address briefly since I refuse to donate significant article space to this bozo: The Chicago Bears and Justin Fields are better without Chase Claypool. Good luck with your contract negotiations!

3. The Chicago Bears offensive line deserves credit. That is not a typo

Words cannot do justice to the happiness I feel as I type the following line: The Chicago Bears offensive line was impressive on Thursday night, and they deserve credit for this victory.

I would argue that this was the best performance from the offensive line in the last two or three years. That sounds like hyperbole, but if you have watched these games, you know it’s been rough.

While they weren’t perfect, they were far better than Bears Nation is accustomed to. Despite facing a defensive line that is extremely lauded and highly drafted, the Bears controlled the line of scrimmage on offense from start to finish.

Not only did they open up holes in the run game, but the line allowed Fields to drop back and pass in a clean pocket on many occasions throughout the night. This is not easy to do, as it is obvious that Justin’s mobility and his tendency to hold onto the ball to make a play make it harder on the offensive line.

It’s time to give credit where it’s due. None of the offensive linemen have ever complained about Fields’ style of play. In fact, they’ve only endorsed or supported it. They’ve been a punching bag for Chicago Bears faithful and NFL pundits for quite a while, but against a stout defensive line on Thursday evening, they shut those critics up.

I’d be wrong if I didn’t mention Teven Jenkins and his return to the line. I understand he didn’t play in the second half, which possibly explains why the first half was so dominant for the Chicago Bears in the trenches. We established a consistent run game for the first time all season from the first whistle until the last.

I know Teven Jenkins is only one man out of five, but it was obvious that he made an impact immediately, especially in the run game. Let’s hope he can stay healthy because the Bears are far better off when he’s utilizing his mean streak and pushing people around.