Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) is hit by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Lorenz Garrett (95) after a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo / David Dermer)

Justin Fields had nowhere to run or hide. Passing was strictly prohibited. Myles Garrett and the Browns made the rookie quarterback’s first NFL start unforgettable — for all the wrong reasons.

Justin Fields will get his first NFL start against the Browns in Cleveland Sunday. (WTTW News graphic)

Justin Fields will get his first NFL start against the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday. Can the rookie quarterback and hope for the future of the franchise live up to the hype and high expectations to deliver a win?

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan holds a sign during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo / Mark LoMoglio)
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The risk of catching or passing a virus that has infected more than 40 million people in the United States will depend on where the stadium is and whether the game is outdoors, among other factors. 

The NFL season officially kicks off Thursday, but the Bears have to wait until Sunday for their prime-time matchup with the Rams. James “Big Cat” Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears from 1991 to 2002, offers his take on the season.

In this September 1958 file photo, Notre Dame football coach Terry Brennan, left, talks with tackle Bronko Nagurski Jr. during practice in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo, File)

Terry Brennan, a star halfback on three unbeaten Notre Dame teams who was hailed as a wunderkind when he succeeded Irish coaching great Frank Leahy at just 25 years old, has died. He was 93.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, left, is congratulated by Adam Redmond (62) after throwing a touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo  /David Banks)

Once rookie quarterback Justin Fields settled in, the Chicago Bears saw the playmaking ability they dreamed about on draft day.

(WTTW News)

The NFL Draft gets underway Thursday evening and after a disappointing and deflating end to last season Bears fans are hoping for some game-ready reinforcements. 

(WTTW News)

Amid uncertainty in Chicago and across the nation, a ray of hope: Chicago’s baseball teams are in first place, and the city’s beloved Bears pulled off a miracle comeback. Can professional sports actually be a tonic for tough times?

From the football field to the front office: We speak with Jason Wright, the NFL’s first Black team president.

Signs for the Washington Redskins are displayed outside FedEx Field in Landover, Md., Monday, July 13, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans.

In this Feb. 4, 2007, file photo, Chicago Bears chairman Michael McCaskey is seen on the field before the Super Bowl XLI football game between the Bears and Indianapolis Colts in Miami. (AP Photo / Jeff Roberson, File)

Michael McCaskey, who led the Chicago Bears for nearly three decades following the death of his grandfather George Halas, died Saturday after a lengthy battle with cancer, the team said. He was 76.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought much of the world to a screeching halt, but it hasn’t been able to stop the NFL’s draft clock. We get a preview with former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, left, and Tyrann Mathieu celebrate after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)

Patrick Mahome, the 24-year-old quarterback who was selected Super Bowl MVP, led the Chiefs to 21 straight points in the final 6:13 for a 31-20 victory Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers.

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo  /Nam Y. Huh)

Patrick Mahomes outplayed Mitchell Trubisky, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another score, and the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 26-3 Sunday night for their fifth straight win.

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo / Matt Ludtke

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers’ wait to see if a long-time foe would help them clinch a playoff spot was a whole lot easier than the lateral-filled final play they had to survive to beat the Chicago Bears in the rivals’ 200th game.

Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill)

Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown ran for touchdowns and the Los Angeles Rams were able to ground out a 17-7 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.