Justin Fields is more than a QB; he's a superstar

It isn't a victory week for the Chicago Bears after suffering a 35-32 loss in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, but in many ways, it feels like the Bears won something much bigger than the standings can reveal. For the first time in franchise history, the Bears have a superstar quarterback.

Not just a legitimate starting quarterback or even a franchise quarterback. A bonafide superstar.

That's the label applied to Justin Fields now that he owns the NFL's regular-season record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback. His 178 yards eclipsed the previous record-holder, Michael Vick, whose name stood atop the record book for 20 years. Vick was an undeniable superstar. And it took another one to topple him from his perch.

Fields' Week 9 performance was about more than just his legs, though. The game has slowed down for him as a passer, too. He completed 17-of-28 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. He didn't throw any interceptions, was in total control in the pocket, and ended the game with a 106.7 rating.

Like most superstars, Fields was the beginning, middle, and end of the Bears' offense. He had help from pass-catchers like Darnell Mooney, who scored his first touchdown of the season, and TE Cole Kmet, who finally looked like the red-zone threat he was drafted to be in 2020. But Fields was the engine that made it all go.

There's something to be said for players to make their NFL counterparts look slow. Vick did it. Lamar Jackson does it. Justin Fields is in that club now, too, thanks to this incredible 61-yard touchdown run that made Dolphins defenders appear like they were FCS college kids in disguise:

For as dynamic as runs like that are, long-term success at quarterback still depends on time-tested traits like accuracy. Fields is proving he's built for the long haul with plays like this:

Blame for the Chicago Bears' failure to convert on fourth down late in the fourth quarter to keep hope for a win alive doesn't fall on Justin Fields, either. Instead, it's a play that should have Bears fans excited about how incredibly gifted he is. Unfortunately, WR Equanimeous St. Brown may have forced himself out of meaningful reps with this drop:

Sunday's loss drops the Bears to 3-6 on the season, but the optimism around this team because of the quarterback is, in a word, different. Bears fans aren't used to this feeling; instead, Chicago is used to failed first-rounders like Rex Grossman and Mitch Trubisky under center. They're accustomed to retread veterans like Nick Foles, Mike Glennon, or Andy Dalton being sold as upgrades.

It's time for Bears fans to get used to a new normal. There's a superstar in town.

"I think I'm just growing," Fields said after the loss. "Getting better each and every week. My main goal right now is just to continue to do that, continue to trend up and each and every day at practice, keep getting better and better. That's really all you can do."