Most QB rushing yards in a game: Bears' Justin Fields surpasses Colin Kaepernick, Michael Vick for regular season record

Dan Treacy

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Most QB rushing yards in a game: Bears' Justin Fields surpasses Colin Kaepernick, Michael Vick for regular season record image

"Speed."

That's the first word that came to mind for Bears head coach Matt Eberflus when asked about his starting quarterback Justin Fields on Sunday.

The Bears weren't able to pull out a win against the Dolphins, losing 35-32 in a heartbreaker, but it wasn't without a historic performance from QB Justin Fields.

Fields rushed for 178 yards on 15 attempts, setting an NFL single-game regular season record and etching his name among some of the NFL's great mobile quarterbacks. 

Fields' 178 yards are the second-most by a quarterback in one game in NFL history, including playoffs. Colin Kaepernick ran for 181 yards in the 2012 playoffs to set the all-time record. Fields' set the record for a regular season game.

The regular season record was previously held by Michael Vick, who posted a 173-yard game in 2002. Fields had more rushing yards today than Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton ever had in a single game. 

Fields' day included an electrifying 61-yard rushing touchdown, which helped the Bears keep pressure on the Dolphins despite persistent issues on the defensive side of the ball.

The second-year quarterback also joined Bears royalty by becoming the first NFL player since legendary running back Walter Payton with 150 rushing yards and multiple touchdown passes in the same game.

Here are the eight best rushing performances by a quarterback in NFL history, a list that now features Fields.

Best rushing performances by a QB

Quarterback Rushing Yards
Colin Kaepernick 181*
Justin Fields 178
Michael Vick 173
Michael Vick 166
Colin Kaepernick 151
Tobin Rote 150
Charley Trippi 145
Lamar Jackson 143

*Playoffs

Best rushing performances by a Bears QB

Fields broke Bobby Douglass' record of 127 yards rushing by a Bears QB, a mark that was set in 1972.

“It means a lot," Fields said of breaking the Bears record. "The amount of Bears quarterbacks that’s been here, this franchise has been around for a long time, so I’m definitely honored for sure.”

Justin Fields stats vs. Dolphins

Fields posted 178 rushing yards on only 15 attempts, averaging 11.9 yards per carry and finishing with 101 more rushing yards than the entire Dolphins team. 

Fields only threw for 123 yards, but he had an efficient day through the air with three touchdown passes and his second consecutive game with a passer rating above 100.0. 

The second-year quarterback also joined Bears royalty by becoming the first NFL player since legendary running back Walter Payton with 150 rushing yards and multiple touchdown passes in the same game.

The Dolphins simply couldn't stop Fields, forcing Miami coach Mike McDaniel to nicely ask the Bears quarterback to give the defense a break. 

Fields has had an inconsistent season as a passer, but the Bears have finally started to realize his mobility is a game-changer.

"It was obviously a huge step for Justin Fields and the franchise today," head coach Matt Eberflus said postgame.

After the game, Fields spoke with the media regarding his historic day. 

MORE: How Justin Fields improvised his way to a Bears 'Monday Night Football' win over Patriots

"This loss, you kind of got to take the positives out of it," Fields said of being on the losing end despite personally playing well. "But, you also have to go back to the film room to see what you can improve on-- just keep working and keep going."

Fields is up to 602 rushing yards on the season, putting him on pace to become the third quarterback in NFL history (Jackson, Vick) to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season.

“I think I’m just growing and getting better each week.”

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.