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.
Justin Fields took brutal hit to head vs. Packers, but refs didn’t throw a flag
How was this not a flag?
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
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:
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.
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