'MNF' takeaways: Chicago reaching crossroads with Justin Fields

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.

We watched the Bears’ 12-10 win over the Vikings on “Monday Night Football” so you didn’t have to. Here are the takeaways from a Monday night snoozefest.

The Bears have a decision to make at quarterback: Justin Fields, as he’s done the past two seasons, showed flashes of being a viable NFL starter on Monday night.

He finished the game 27-of-37 for 217 yards and led the team with 59 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also had two costly fumbles that nearly cost Chicago the game before marching the team down the field for the winning field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

Fields and the Bears might be best off divorcing following the season, allowing Chicago (4-8) to draft a quarterback and Fields to go to a team that could better utilize his strengths.

As ESPN analyst Louis Riddick noted, using the smaller, 5-foot-11 Darnell Money as the lead blocker on multiple wide receiver screens is bad from a schematic standpoint. It also failed Fields, who entered Week 12 as one of the best deep passers in the league with seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 134 passer rating on throws 20 yards or more downfield.

The Bears have a fascinating decision to make as to whether to build around Fields or choose the top quarterback on their draft board with Carolina’s (likely No. 1) first-round pick.

Coach Matt Eberflus hasn’t impressed in his two years in charge; it might benefit all parties if Chicago starts from scratch and retools its offense with another regime.

Montez Sweat trade is working: The Bears were blasted for trading a valuable second-round pick for edge rusher Sweat, but a month later, it’s time to reassess.

Sweat recorded his first sack as a Bear last week and added 1.5 sacks against the Vikings as the team finished with nine quarterback hits after only managing four against Kirk Cousins in the first meeting.

Sweat’s early production has ensured the team didn’t repeat last year’s mistake when it traded for wide receiver Chase Claypool.

The “Passtronaut” crashes: Joshua Dobbs’ incredible run as the Vikings’ starting quarterback lasted about as long as Colorado’s run as a top-25 college football team.

He provided one of the most intriguing storylines of the season by leading Minnesota to consecutive wins (albeit against the NFC South), but that seems like an eternity ago after his dismal performance against Chicago.

Dobbs was 22-of-32 for 185 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Every good story has its end. Minnesota probably wished this one had a few more chapters.

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