The 2-2 Chicago Bears hit the road for a second straight week to play the 3-1 Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Stadium in a Week 5 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (noon, Fox-32).
Get the Bears latest news | Get Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts first | Get our free Bears alerts
Advertisement
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson couldn’t contain a big smile Friday when asked how much he would like the chance to play against Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson — It’s still up in the air whether Johnson will get that chance.
Johnson returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering a quad injury that kept him out the last two games. He did individual work and said he took a few team reps, feeling out his lateral movement and his reactions. He felt like he was moving well and called it a “big step in the right direction.”
Advertisement
But the Bears, who have two games in five days with their Thursday night matchup against the Washington Commanders looming, listed him as doubtful to play in Week 5.
Running back David Montgomery, who is recovering from an ankle injury, is questionable after practicing in a limited capacity Friday for the second straight day. Safety Dane Cruikshank is doubtful with a hamstring injury. But defensive tackle Justin Jones (hip), linebacker Matt Adams (hamstring) and tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles) practiced in full and are expected to play.
Bears QB Justin Fields has the lowest passer rating in the NFL at 58.7. The next lowest is Mitch Trubisky at 73.7, and he lost his starting job with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Fields is 31st out of 32 in QBR, the ESPN-created system that incorporates quarterbacks running the ball. Fields is at 26.2. The Carolina Panthers’ Baker Mayfield is below him at 15.3.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy disputed the notion it has been a bumpy first four weeks for Fields, who is completing 50.7% of his pass attempts, 32nd in the NFL.
“I don’t think he’s had a rough month,” Getsy said. “He’s gotten better each week. He’s growing tremendously. We’re playing good football teams. It’s not easy to become the level of quarterback that he wants to become and I know that he can become. The important thing is that we stay focused, keep our eyes on that progress or process and we make sure we get better each week, and I believe that we’re in that phase.”
Fields is 19 of 45 (42%) for 255 yards on first and second down on a total of 65 drop-backs. If that is not part of a “rough month,” what is?
The Arlington Heights Village Board on Monday unanimously rejected a proposed referendum to prohibit public subsidies for a prospective Chicago Bears stadium development or any other private enterprise.
Advertisement
The board voted 9-0 to reject a petition for an “Anti-Corporate Welfare Ordinance,” which had been signed by some 565 registered voters and residents.
The team has said it would pay for the stadium, but would need public help to pay for infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, for the mixed-use development. The petition to the board would have prevented the village from offering any financial incentive not just to the Bears, but to any business or corporation. Read the full story here.