The quarterback is the most scrutinized position in all of sports. Everything a NFL signal caller does or says is analyzed, critiqued and debated. 

This is especially true after a team loss, and there is a right and wrong way to go about taking responsibility for one’s actions. 

Justin Fields went about it the right way following the Bears’ 27-24 loss to the Falcons. Even though he accounted for 238 total yards, two touchdowns (one rushing and one passing) and played with a hurt shoulder on the final drive, he still addressed the team after the game and took responsibility for the loss. 

Little nugget I picked up: Bears QB Justin Fields apologized to his teammates after Chicago's loss to the Falcons in the locker room postgame. Told them the defense gave the offense a chance, and the offense didn't get it done.

Went a long way with guys, after he'd played hurt.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 22, 2022

Sunday’s game against the Falcons wasn’t the offense’s best. Fields threw a fourth-quarter interception and the unit scored under 31 points, which is what the offense was averaging in the last four weeks. 

So, the defense – after giving up 142 points the last four games – finally stepped up, and Fields made sure to address his teammates about it. 

My understanding is Fields' defensive teammates stopped him as he was finishing the apology, told him they had his back. Really cool moment for everyone there, and a nice sign of where Matt Eberflus has taken the culture in Chicago.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 22, 2022

Now, there is also a wrong way of doing things. Zach Wilson showed exactly how to do that in the Jets’ 10-3 loss to the Patriots. 

After Wilson finished 9-of-22 for 77 yards, he was asked in his postgame press conference if he believed he let the defense down. 

He simply answered, “No.”

Zach Wilson when asked if he let the defense down: "No."

The Jets lost 10-3 😬 pic.twitter.com/bieN8xaa8v

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 20, 2022

Even if Wilson had helped the offense move the ball and did his part, his answer proves he doesn’t know how to accept responsibility for his actions or is simply naive to the entire situation. Although he didn’t throw any interceptions on Sunday, Wilson easily could’ve and should’ve been picked off from multiple Patriots defenders. 

This Sunday, the Bears will go on the road to face the Jets at MetLife Stadium, but it’s still uncertain if Fields and Wilson will be starting. Fields is dealing with a separated shoulder, and Jets coach Robert Saleh won’t commit to Wilson being the starting quarterback after his disastrous performance. 

But if the two first-round quarterbacks don’t play against each other on Sunday, Bears fans can already give their quarterback a win on how to handle accountability.