Justin Fields got a chance to lead a game-tying drive when the Chicago Bears received the ball down eight points to the archrival Green Bay Packers midway through the fourth quarter in Week 18. On a first-and-10 at the Green Bay 48-yard line, Fields ran a designed QB keeper to the right sideline and tried to slide after gaining six yards. Packers defender Jonathan Owens (aka Mr. Simone Biles) delivered a brutal hit to Fields’ head as he was sliding, but the officials didn’t call a penalty.
Fields was forced out of the game a few plays later for a concussion test. He would return later in the drive, but Chicago was eventually forced to punt after taking another sack.
The NFL does everything it can to protect QBs in this era, but it’s become a common occurrence this season to see Fields not get a call after taking a big hit.
Green Bay beat Chicago, 17-9. Watch the hit here:
The broadcasters couldn’t believe a flag wasn’t throw on the play. Neither could media members and fans posting on social media.
Here’s some reaction from Fields not getting a call while sliding:
Justin Fields gets fewer calls than any QB in the league. Ridiculous.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 7, 2024
Justin Fields gets ZERO calls….thats ridiculous. It’s happened time and time again. Squarely on the officials!
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 7, 2024
You’re gonna force Justin Fields out of the game to get a concussion evaluation, and you STILL didn’t call a late hit?
Absolute bullshit. #Bears
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 7, 2024
The QB Slide rule does not apply to Justin Fields. Plain and simple. The NFL has proved that all year long.
— Will DeWitt (@Wi11DeWitt) January 7, 2024
That was one of the worst no-calls on a late hit on Justin Fields this season, and that’s saying something.
Fields then gets the Packers to jump on 4th-and-5. First enforced penalty of the game.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 7, 2024
I mean, if that hit on Justin Fields isn’t a personal foul, I don’t know what is. That’s an elbow to the head, and no penalty. Ridiculous.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) January 7, 2024
The Bears had no chance to make the playoffs coming into the game, but it still felt like Chicago had a ton on the line. The Bears own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to their trade with the Carolina Panthers last year, and there’s been rampant speculation the team could draft a quarterback. Fields felt like he was playing for his job against the team’s archrival, and to see him take a huge hit like this while sliding and still not draw a flag was a terrible turn of events for Chicago.
Meanwhile, Jordan Love looked tremendous for the Packers. The Bears haven’t won in Green Bay since 2018, and play blew a golden opportunity this year. With the win, the Packers make the playoffs. The Bears are still down bad against Green Bay.