Justin Fields got his first taste of practicing against a different team when the Miami Dolphins paid a visit to Halas Hall. It was a perfect opportunity to see different looks from an opposing defense. To see how another quarterback group operates. People were no doubt anxious to see how the rookie would handle this test. One that came against a team that had a pretty good defense last season.
Based on early reports from practice? The rookie shined. Most agree he had the two best plays of the afternoon. A pair of long passes to Jon’Vea Johnson, one of which went for a touchdown. Another instant of Fields showing off that strong arm and impressive deep accuracy. It’s also another reminder that the Bears might have something unexpected with Johnson who continues to make plays every day in camp.
Even the Dolphins media came away impressed.
I really like the way Justin Fields is getting the ball out there. He appears to be the real deal.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 11, 2021
From Bears vs. Dolphins practice…
– Allen Robinson was present but not participating.
– Alex Smith was a guest, spending time with the Bears' coaches and quarterbacks.
– Justin Fields connected on two deep balls to Jon'Vea Johnson. One was probably 40-45 yards.— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 11, 2021
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Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields shared a bro hug at midfield as practice resumed following a weather delay.
Fields threw a nice deep ball touchdown to Jon'Vea Johnson from near midfield. That was the highlight from today's practice.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 11, 2021
The Justin Fields and Jon’Vea Johnson connection is real. The 2 best throws from the QB came to Johnson today. Both on the money and one from about 45ish yards. Impressive stuff. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 11, 2021
It was an eventful day, to say the least. Before practice had barely begun, both teams were driven inside the Walter Payton Center by the sudden onset of a thunderstorm. After initially planning to just keep things indoors, the weather cleared up and they returned outside. From there it became apparent which way the practice was going to trend. That being in the direction of the defenses.
Word is both defensive fronts dominated the action. Khalil Mack was particularly game-wrecking. The Bears’ offensive line, ravaged by injuries, was predictably an issue. To know that Fields managed to work his way through that and still deliver some big highlights? It’s another sign that the kid has so much potential. It will be interesting to see how he and the offense look to bounce back tomorrow when the second and final joint practice goes down. Can the offensive line rebound or will Fields have to improvise?
Justin Fields keeps stacking good days together
Head coach Matt Nagy said that his last padded practice on Sunday was the best of training camp thus far. One where he made his three best throws, all in a row. Combined with his rapidly progressing grasp of the offensive system? It’s easy to see why excitement is building for the 11th overall pick. Now he goes against a solid, well-coached Dolphins defense and wastes no time hitting them for multiple big plays.
All with a makeshift, injury-riddled offensive line and mostly receivers fans have never heard of. This is what good quarterbacks are supposed to do. Make things happen even when the situation isn’t ideal. At this point, people seem less concerned about the quarterbacks than the offensive line. Something that fans probably never thought would happen.
It’s been quite an experience.
The Bears and Dolphins will face each other on August 14th for a noon preseason opener at Soldier Fields. One can safely bet plenty of fans will be there to see Fields in action for the first time. If he performs anything like he has the past few days? The hype may well and truly get out of control.
