Halas Intrigue Bears Report: And here we go

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The new-look Bears finally play in a game that counts. The season-opener against the 49ers at Soldier Field will provide the first test for Matt Eberflus and company (noon, Fox-32, WBBM 780-AM, WRTO 1200-AM). Read the latest coverage and analysis below.

1. Can Justin Fields go 17 in a row?

This is a huge ask for the Bears, but here goes: Any chance Justin Fields can start all 17 games this season?

The Bears' rebuilding season is all about modest expectations, and the potential franchise quarterback going an entire season without getting injured or benched actually is setting the bar pretty low.

In the last 10 years, more than half the starting quarterbacks in the NFL have started every game each season (16.8, including starters who sit out the final week of the regular season before the playoffs).

Obviously, Fields has to show some development in coordinator Luke Getsy's offense, but first things first. The Bears have not had a quarterback start every game in a season since Jay Cutler in 2009.

First-and-10: Keeping Justin Fields healthy is Job 1 for Bears in 2022

Matt Eberflus' approach is to practice hard, play hard and develop mental and physical toughness. Doing that and avoiding major injuries — starting with Fields, but throughout the roster — might be his biggest challenge.

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2. 'We don't have a Plan B'

The Bears are saying "if" as often as possible when it comes to building a stadium in Arlington Heights, but it's clear they're proceeding like it's a certainty.

"We don't have a Plan B," team president Ted Phillips said during a town hall at Hersey High School on Thursday. "Our singular focus is on this property."

Chairman George McCaskey prefaced everything with "if" when he opened the meeting, but the overall tone of the presentation was that the Bears are pushing with full force to leave Soldier Field, the NFL's oldest and smallest stadium.

He imagined securing "a world-class home for the Chicago Bears after a more-than-100-year search," started by his grandfather, George Halas.

"We will not be discussing any other alternative sites, including renovations of Soldier Field," Phillips said, drawing applause from the half-full gymnasium.

He went on to get cheers from the crowd when he said the stadium will be "enclosed" — he later specified the roof probably will be fixed, not retractable — and become a destination for major events like the Super Bowl and concerts. He also said there will be significant increases in capacity and parking over Soldier Field's 61,500 seats and limited spaces.

"It will be designed to provide our fans with the first-class experience they deserve," Phillips said.

Bears move toward Arlington Heights stadium with 'no Plan B'

Anything other than a new stadium in the suburbs is off the table at the moment, including renovations to Soldier Field.

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3. Sunday isn't a grudge match

Three years ago, quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrated a Chiefs touchdown at Soldier Field by counting to 10 on his fingers — a reminder to Bears brass, which took Mitch Trubisky second in the 2017 draft, that it made him wait until No. 10 to be selected.

Four years later, the 49ers drafted quarterback Trey Lance before the Bears took Justin Fields. Again, the difference in draft picks was eight spots.

Still, don't expect Fields to glare at the 49ers' sideline Sunday — even though his best friend on the team said last week that it was certainly motivating the Bears quarterback entering the season opener.

If Lance being picked third overall drives Fields, he doesn't want to say it out loud.

"The draft is the draft," Fields said. "The draft order doesn't matter at this point."

Bears' Justin Fields on 49ers: 'I'm glad that they passed on me'

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney said last week that Fields had the 49ers circled because they drafted quarterback Trey Lance No. 3 overall last year when they could have had Fields, whom the Bears eventually took at No. 11.

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4. In other news

The Sun-Times' experts offer their picks for the Bears' season opener against the 49ers at Soldier Field.
Bears beat writer Mark Potash takes a look at some key questions heading into Matt Eberflus' first season as head coach.
How will the Bears do this season? Our experts make their predictions.
Niners tight end George Kittle could miss Sunday's game.
Soldier Field vendors will no longer take cash.
Sports media writer Jeff Agrest makes his annual attempt to predict which TV crews will call each Bears game.
The Bears' Braxton Jones is ready to face "the real deal" in Nick Bosa.
Players were happy to see upgraded turf at Soldier Field.
Roquan Smith is among the Bears' team captains.
The matchup against the 49ers could show how this year's offense differs from Matt Nagy's crew.
San Francisco's Deebo Samuel and Trey Lance will challenge the Bears' defense.
Fox analyst Daryl "Moose" Johnston says Matt Eberflus will surprise people.
Jaylon Johnson is "already one of the top corners," but is looking for more.
Defensive end Robert Quinn is finding his fit amid Bears' rebuild.
The Bears' defense has its eye on more takeaways.

5. From the podcast

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash make their predictions for Sunday's season opener against the 49ers — and the Bears season in general. LISTEN HERE.

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