Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Bears DB puts referees on blast for not protecting Justin Fields

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/21/22

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is among the most hit QBs in the NFL, and that doesn’t quite sit right with rookie safety Jaquan Brisker.

Speaking to reporters following the Bears’ 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Brisker sounded off on the oversight NFL officials appear to have in terms of giving more favorable calls to established veterans but not to young QBs.

“He’s very tough," Brisker said of Fields, via NBC Sports Chicago. "Especially, the league, if that was different quarterback, they would be throwing hella flags. A lot of flags. I feel like the league has to look at that. It’s crazy how many times he gets hit in the head every single game, but he still gets up. Gets hit out of bounds, late, or near the white.

I would like to see Justin Fields get that roughing call. But he’s not an established NFL legend like Taylor Heinicke so I get it. #DaBears
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) November 20, 2022

"If that was Tom Brady, Jared Goff, or anybody like that, they throwing flags immediately. Just as you seen today. They threw a flag to Mariota, and he tripped over himself. I feel like they got to respect Justin some more and look at him as a quarterback because, obviously, there you should be more flags. He’s getting targeted every single game and none of them are being thrown.”

Fields was sacked four times and hit another five times on Sunday, and he took a couple shots that appeared to be late but garnered no whistle. On Chicago’s final drive, Fields injured his shoulder on a QB sweep after landing awkwardly while being tackled, and on the following play he took a late hit after sliding for a minimal gain. Again, no flag.

Conversely, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon drew a questionable roughing the passer call for making contact with Marcus Mariota.

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