Chicago Bears fans received the news that they will have a quarterback not named Justin Fields starting in Week 16.
The Chicago Bears joined their division rivals in the Detroit Lions as the only teams in the NFC to be eliminated from playoff contention. That came after the team lost to the Minnesota Vikings on the Week 15 edition of Monday Night Football. The Bears now pivot to playing the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, but they will be doing so with a depleted quarterback depth chart.
On Friday, Bears head coach Matt Nagy announced that third-string quarterback Nick Foles will be getting the start against the Seahawks due to injuries to both Justin Fields and Andy Dalton.
Bears’ HC Nagy announced that Nick Foles will start at QB in Seattle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 24, 2021
Bears: Nick Foles to start vs. Seahawks
Fields picked up an ankle injury during Chicago’s 17-9 loss to Minnesota. Even though Fields will not be getting the start on Sunday, there is a chance that he will be Foles’ backup. If not, the backup will likely be practice squad signal caller Ryan Willis.
Matt Nagy says Nick Foles will start on Sunday and it will be a game-time decision if Justin Fields is the backup.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 24, 2021
The rookie completed 26-of-39 pass attempts for 285 yards and one touchdown, while getting sacked three times.
Dalton was just activated off the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, but he is currently dealing with a groin injury.
Foles had not started a game since Week 10 of the 2020 season. In that game, the Super Bowl 52 MVP completed 15-of-26 of his throws for 106 yards and one interception in the 19-13 loss to the Vikings.
The veteran appeared in nine games with the Bears last year, where he accumulated 1,852 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions all on a 64.7 completion percentage. Foles was 2-5 as Chicago’s starter that season.
Chicago will look to earn their first win since Week 12 this Sunday. Maybe, just maybe, Foles can have a magical, 2017-like performance against the Seahawks.
