The Chicago Bears are still trying to find the perfect balance with quarterback Justin Fields and time is ticking to do so.

Fields is an electric playmaker when he's playing at his best for the Bears, but game planning to his strength continues to be an issue for the team's offense.

During the first six games of the 2023 season, the Bears attempted to adjust their offense in order to explore Fields' abilities as a passer more than they did during his first two seasons in the NFL. While he's shown flashes, the 1-5 record as a starter through Week 6 spoke for itself.

In Week 11, Fields returned as the Bears starter after missing four weeks with a thumb injury. Despite coming off an injury, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy decided to change his approach with how he was utilizing his starting quarterback. 

Against the Lions, Fields had a season-high 18 carries and led the team with 104 rushing yards. From Weeks 1-6, Fields was averaging 7.8 carries for 39.5 rushing yards a game. It was quite the drastic change from the player who averaged 10.7 carries for 76.2 rushing yards a game in 2022. 

However, the outcome remained the same in Week 11 despite the altered approach with their starting quarterback. The Bears fell 31-26 in embarrassing fashion after giving up the lead in the final minute and blowing the comeback on their final drive.

After the loss, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus addressed the media and shared his thoughts on how he felt Fields performed in his first game back since Week 6.

"I thought he played really well," he said. "He ran the ball nice. I thought when he did scramble, he avoided sacks most of the time. He did a really good job of looking downfield, hit some side pockets and hitting some things down the field. I think that's growth there with him."

While he indeed showed some growth overall as a leader for the Bears on Sunday, it still wasn't a decision defining performance. The loss was the first of seven games for Fields that will be viewed under a microscope during the final stretch.

The Bears, armed with the current number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, have the potential to acquire a new quarterback if the front office decides it's time to move on from Fields. Over the final weeks, the Bears need to find the best way to allow Fields to prove himself as the franchise guy and so far, they haven’t.

Eberflus addressed the offensive scheme in terms of what can be done in order to create the best way for Fields to find success.

"I mean, you always want major production," Eberflus said after the game. "You know, he's had a couple games this year. And again, the numbers are the numbers. But we'll look at the tape and see where he needs to improve and see where everybody needs to improve."

Fields only threw for 169 yards and one touchdown against the Lions, but it still looked like a fairly successful outing when you factor in his impact on the ground. 

However, Fields' best games of the season came in Weeks 4 and 5 against the Denver Broncos and the Washington Commanders where he threw for 280+ passing yards and four passing touchdowns in each game. In those two games, Fields had a combined 15 carries for 82 rushing yards.

The Bears need to find the perfect recipe with how they utilize Fields within the offense. He's shown he can be a solid deep ball passer but the Bears need to make sure they also take advantage of his natural abilities running the football at the same time. 

It's a tough balance to figure out, but it's the only way to get a true and accurate read on his potential as the Bears' franchise quarterback.

Justin Fields has seven games to prove he’s the Bears franchise QB

How will the next few weeks turn out?