The Chicago Bears received good news on Wednesday when rookie quarterback Justin Fields was medically cleared to return and will start against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Fields missed the last two games due to cracked ribs suffered against the Baltimore Ravens. With five games remaining in the 2021 season, Chicago's rookie will have a chance to earn a signature victory that will define his first year in the NFL.

Each Recent Bears' Rookie Quarterback To Start Has A Signature Victory

Despite the Bears' futile history at the quarterback position, rookie quarterbacks taken by Chicago in the NFL draft have flashed in their inaugural season. Since 1999, there have been four rookie quarterbacks to start for the Bears during their first season in the NFL, with each of them having a standout game. Before drafting Fields with the eleventh overall selection in this year's draft, the Bears drafted three other quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL draft, including Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, and Mitchell Trubisky. The other rookie quarterback to start for the Bears was Kyle Orton, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. In 1999, McNown played in 15 games and started six of them. The left-hander's signature win during the Bears' 1999 season came in week 15 against the Detroit Lions. McNown would pass for over three hundred and four touchdowns in a 28-10 victory. The performance is considered to be one of the biggest "tease" games in Bears' history as the rookie quarterback would disappoint significantly in 2000, and be traded to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason.

Four years later, Grossman would start the final three games of the 2003 season for the Bears after being eliminated from playoff contention in week 14. Against his former college coach Steve Spurrier and the Washington Football Team, the rookie quarterback led the Bears to a thrilling victory. Grossman passed for 249 yards, including a 59-touchdown pass to wide receiver Marty Booker and a game-winning drive at the end of the game. Chicago would defeat Washington 27-24 on a game-winning field goal by kicker Paul Edinger. In 2005, Orton would be forced to start for the Bears as Grossman was sidelined for a majority of the season with a broken ankle. The rookie quarterback from Purdue would started all but one game for Chicago in 2005. Although Orton was a game-manager for the Bears, he helped them to a 10-5 record. The rookie's best game of the 2005 season came against the New Orleans Saints in a 20-17 victory. Orton threw a touchdown, but more importantly connected on a 22 yard pass to receiver Muhsin Muhammad that set up Robbie Gould's game-winning field goal. When Trubisky took over as the Bears' starting quarterback in 2017, his signature win would come in early December. Against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 14, the North Carolina quarterback passed for a touchdown and had a rushing touchdown in a 33-7 victory. Trubisky completed 25 passes for 271 in the Bears' best offensive performance of the season.

Fields Will Have A Chance To Earn A Prominent Signature Victory With The Bears' Remaining Schedule

Although Fields has started eight games for the Bears this season with only two victories, he has flashed significantly at times. Against the Lions in week 4, the Ohio State rookie passed for 209 yards in a 24-14 win. One week later, Fields would throw his first touchdown pass in the Bears' victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the two victories, the rookie quarterback has yet to have a stand-out victory for Chicago in 2021. The Bears will face the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and the New York Giants in the final five weeks of this season. Chicago's next two games against the Packers and Vikings will be in primetime. Both games would be terrific opportunities for Fields to lead the Bears to victory. If the rookie could help lead Chicago to victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, it would be considered the biggest of the 2021 season and one of the biggest in Bears' history.

Chicago's next game will be on Monday Night Football against Minnesota. Fields' best performance this year came on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 9. In the 29-27 loss, Chicago's rookie quarterback passed for 291 yards and a last-minute touchdown that gave the Bears the lead and what should have been the victory. An upset win over the Vikings at home on Monday night would give Fields massive recognition in front of the entire country. In the Bears' last three games of 2021, the only notable game will be their December 26th game on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. The game will be significant as Fields will go up against one of the best quarterbacks in the league in future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson. A win against Wilson would give the rookie quarterback credibility as he would have led his team to victory against an elite quarterback on the road.

Although Fields has played well, a signature win is still needed for the first-round quarterback, especially as the offseason approaches. With a standout victory, the rookie quarterback has something to build around and a moment from his rookie season that inspires hope for fans and the media heading into next year. Whether it is a stellar performance or a clutch throw that leads the Bears to victory, Fields still needs that moment to solidify and define his rookie season with Chicago.