Chicago Bears: We Should See Fields Earlier Than Anticipated

Despite being the starting quarterback, not many people expect Andy Dalton to continue playing that position for the Chicago Bears. We could see Justin Fields in action sooner than we thought.

One of the most frustrating things to occur since training camp opened is the insistence from the Chicago Bears brass to open the season with Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. Fans and analysts alike feel that the Bears finally found their franchise quarterback in rookie Justin Fields. Despite that, head coach Matt Nagy and the Bears continue to stick to their plan.

While many fans clamored for Fields and felt he outplayed Dalton, there was never a real quarterback battle. Nagy announced early on that he didn’t see a scenario (other than injury) with Fields as QB1 in Week 1. He told us from the beginning but now we’re surprised that he actually did it.

With the Bears setting the plan in motion, the talk now turns to predict when Fields sees action. Some say after four games while others say perhaps after their Week 10 bye.

What if we see Fields a lot earlier than we anticipated? Many people focus on him starting. However, he could come in to relieve Dalton occasionally.

In his Week 1 press conference this past Mondy, reporters asked Nagy about a scenario in which Fields plays this week. He said he considered “all scenarios.” If Dalton struggles early on against the Los Angeles Rams defense we could see Fields come in at some point. If there is a big third-and-short situation, for example, we could see him come in. The defense would then have to decide whether the ball goes to David Montgomery or FIelds tucks it and runs. Additionally, FIelds could run out of the pocket to suck the defense in and then throw it for the first down. There are just so many options with Fields on the field.

For his part, Rams head coach Sean McVay sounded like he expects to see Fields at some point on Sunday night.

I think it would be naive for us not to prepare for them to be able to utilize him in some form or fashion. Andy Dalton’s a really good quarterback and he’ll be a great challenge. And then you see the ways that Justin (Fields) made a lot of plays going back to his career at Ohio State (and) what he showed in the preseason. So, I think you got to be ready for either or, but it’s going to be challenge, for sure.

Perhaps part of the plan involves having the opposing team plan for two quarterbacks instead of one. Anything that keeps the opponent off balance is something that the Bears should use for an advantage.

Nagy knows that, like it or not, he already has a quarterback controversy. Many people around the league want to see the FIelds era begin. Nagy might just give them a taste of it for a while until he’s ready to roll out the buffet. Of course, just giving the people a taste of Fields ends up with them wanting to experience more, perhaps earlier than he’s ready to show.

This is a controversy that will follow Nagy and the Chicago Bears. Until Fields finally becomes QB1, they’ll face these questions.