THE DROP-BACK: Thursday October 6 - Justin Fields time

bears

The Chicago Bears have made their second-best decision regarding the quarterback position since drafting Justin Fields in April. Fields was named the starter by head coach Matt Nagy (if you believe him, anyway) on Wednesday not only for Week Five, but moving forward. 

Matt Nagy said of Justin Fields: "He's grown to this point. He's earned it. He's worked hard. And now he has this opportunity."

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) October 6, 2021

steelers

In something that absolutely not a single person saw coming, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is struggling this season and that's putting it nicely. He agrees, which is the first step in admitting there's a problem. "I need to be better. I need to fight through and figure out how to make better decisions, how to make better throws, be a better football player. That's why I said I'm not going to quit. I'm not doing that. I'm not giving up on this season. No one in the building is." Okay, but maybe you should. 

49ers

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo injured his calf during Sunday's game and sat out the first half. He didn't practice Wednesday, but isn't yet ruling himself out of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. When asked if he would still be hurting this weekend if he takes the field, he said, "I'd be battling through it probably. We'll take it day by day. It hurts, but it is what it is at this point. I'm not going to put anything in stone yet."

- other notes -

• Daniel Jones named NFC offensive player of the week.
• Joe Burrow​ grabs AFC offensive player of the week honors.
• Teddy Bridgewater could be back at practice on Thursday.