Here’s how Justin Fields could beat out Andy Dalton for Bears’ starting QB job
2 min read
#NFLBeast #NFL #NFLTwitter #NFLUpdate #NFLNews #NFLUpdates #NFLBlogs
#Chicago #ChicagoBears #Bears #BearsWire
By: Alyssa Barbieri
The Chicago Bears have already dubbed veteran Andy Dalton QB1 heading into Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. And while you’d think that rookie Justin Fields would at least have a chance to compete for the starting job in training camp, Matt Nagy said that’s not the case.
But MMQB’s Albert Breer believes there’s still a way that Fields could win the starting job before the start of the regular season. And the key rests with the increased preseason reps Fields is going to receive.
But if there is a sliver of an opening here, my belief is it’ll come with the preseason games. The Bears plan to play Fields a lot in those, and that’s smart—because it’ll accelerate his development via the amount of defense he’ll get to see, and offense he’ll get to run. And if he grows with that? And practices well on top of that? Then, maybe, we’re having a different discussion a month from now.
The key, as I see it, will be how Dalton plays and how the team plays. There’ve been just three true redshirts among first-round quarterbacks taken since 2008, and in each case, the quarterback played well and the team contended. So if Dalton plays well and the Bears contend, then Fields sits. Otherwise, the door Fields can crack open by doing well over the summer could get kicked down.
When you consider what Nagy said about Fields not being able to win the starting job in training camp, it makes sense given Dalton is the only one taking reps with the first-team offense while Fields will be working with the second team.
While it doesn’t present itself as an actual quarterback competition, Fields has a big opportunity to prove himself during preseason when the live-game reps begin. If Dalton struggles and Fields shines and strings together impressive practices, perhaps it’ll be enough to convince Nagy to change his stance.
And if not, Bears fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see Fields. But probably not too long.
