3 Takeaways from Bears' Week 9 Loss vs. Dolphins
The Chicago Bears didn't get a win on Sunday, but they showed a ton of fight against a Miami Dolphins team that appears destined to make the 2022 postseason. Thanks to a stellar performance from quarterback Justin Fields, Chicago went blow-for-blow with one of the league's most explosive offenses.
The Bears pulled within three points with a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion but could not put one final drive together.
Chicago may not make the playoffs this season, but it's clear that this team isn't going to go down quietly. If the Bears fight as they did on Sunday, they'll have a good chance to get back in the win column next week against the rival Detroit Lions.
Here are our three biggest takeaways from Chicago's 35-32 loss to the Dolphins in Week 9.
Justin Fields Can Be Special
As a rookie and for the early portion of 2022, Fields looked and played like an inexperienced quarterback who just wasn't getting it at the pro level. A few weeks ago, however, the Chicago coaching staff allowed him to play a little more freely and to lean into his national rushing ability.
The results have been dramatic, and Fields is beginning to show signs of being a special dual-threat quarterback.
Against the Dolphins, the Ohio State product rushed for a regular-season record 178 yards while adding a rushing touchdown, 123 passing yards and three passing scores.
"When you see him run like that and then be able to execute in the pass game like he did, it's pretty special, for sure," Bears tight end Cole Kmet said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.
Fields still isn't a finished product, but he's playing well enough right now that Chicago should feel comfortable proceeding with him as its quarterback of the future. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen started his career off slowly too, and he's now one of the game's biggest stars. Fields could follow a similar career arc.
The Bears are poised to be major players in the 2023 offseason, and Fields is looking like a quarterback around which they can build.
Chicago Needs to Keep Improving Fields' Supporting Cast
With Fields starting to settle in, it's time for Chicago to heavily invest in his supporting cast. The Bears offensive line is still a liability—Fields has been sacked a league-high 33 times—and the receiving corps is questionable.
Darnell Mooney and Kmet are solid players, but Chicago lacks reliable targets overall. Fields had an opportunity to mount a game-winning drive late in Sunday's game, but with less than two minutes remaining, Equanimeous St. Brown dropped his fourth-down pass near midfield.
Chicago traded for Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Chase Claypool at the trade deadline. The Notre Dame product was targeted six times on Sunday but finished with only two receptions for 13 yards. He also ran once for four yards.
Claypool should see more action as he gets up to speed in the offense, but the Bears can't stop with his addition.
Chicago has an extra fourth-round pick in next year's draft and a league-best $114.5 million in projected cap space, according to Spotrac. The Bears need to invest heavily in pass-catchers and dependable offensive linemen. If Fields can get good protection and receivers that he trusts, he could become one of the game's most dangerous signal-callers.
The Bears Will Continue to Fight Hard Despite Having an Eye on 2023
Perhaps the biggest thing we learned on Sunday is that Chicago will remain dangerous throughout the rest of the 2022 season. While the front office is clearly eying next season, the players aren't giving up on the current one.
Chicago traded away pass-rusher Robert Quinn and star linebacker Roquan Smith before the deadline. That was a sign that the Bears don't expect to be playoff contenders this year. That was far from the vibe that Chicago exhibited against Miami, though, as it gave the Dolphins everything they could handle.
This is far from a complete team, especially with Quinn and Smith now gone. The Bears secondary got torched by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on Sunday. The run defense has been lackluster all season.
However, coach Matt Eberflus has his team executing well, and the players are showing plenty of fight. Even good teams can lose to Chicago if they don't show the same drive and execution on game days.
Bears fans may not see a surprise playoff run this year, but their team will be a heck of a lot of fun to watch down the stretch. Armed with plenty of offseason capital, Chicago is poised to be a real threat next season too.