Justin Fields had several exciting moments during his first preseason game. Moments that showcased what makes him so tantalizing as a talent. Plenty of plays to pick from. Maybe you liked the 21-yard scramble that flashed his blistering speed. Or maybe it was his 25-yard strike to Rodney Adams where he flashed his subtle ball placement. Then there was the scramble on 3rd and 9 where he baited a defender to come tackle him before looping the ball to Adams for an easy first down.
It was fun to watch. However, none of those players were what stood out the most to the Bears coaching staff. Matt Nagy explained during his Monday press conference that it occurred earlier in the game. After a tough first few series, Fields got the ball back with 40 seconds remaining and trailing 13-0. The goal was to try getting into field goal range. That meant having to be smart with the football. The rookie did just that, engineering a swift march that led to a 53-yarder by Cairo Santos to get Chicago on the board.
Nagy pinpointed the particular play that stood out in that sequence.
“Another example that he did a good job was at the end of the 2nd quarter with limited time left where he stayed within the progression (and) he checked it down to (Khalil) Herbert and Herbert did what we asked him to do which was, ‘Get your butt out of bounds.’ He did that twice.
That was one of Coach Flip’s favorite plays of the game. Was him staying in rhythm with his feet top down and not panicking. When you watch his eyes he went to the post route and in his progression he just slightly moved his eyes and his feet down to Herbert, gave it to him, and trusted Herbert to get out of bounds.
That’s not easy to do. A lot of guys will scramble, run around, waste four seconds, and throw the ball away. He didn’t. He stayed within his progression.”
The play in question happened with 20 seconds left. Chicago had one timeout left. They sat at their own 37-yard line. Fields was in the shotgun. At the snap he initially he looks to Riley Ridley to his left who as Nagy said is running a post route. The QB quickly knows that the receiver isn’t going to be open. At that same moment, Herbert filtered out into the flat. Fields drops his eyes and delivers the football on time and accurately. The running back then fights his way out of bounds to stop the clock. A five-yard gain at the cost of only four seconds.
While not a flashy play, it demonstrated Fields’ calm and presence of mind in the moment. Don’t get carried away with trying to make a big play. Stay within the offense, trust your progressions, and deliver the throw to the proper read. Then move on to the next play. He did that multiple times on the drive.
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Justin Fields is now taking the next step in his development
That is getting his first proper chance to work with the first-team offense against the first-team defense in practice. Nagy revealed that plan during the press conference as well. Something the coaches had been working towards all summer. Give him a chance to build connections with guys like Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet. Guys he could end up throwing to later this season depending on what happens with Andy Dalton.
Plenty of people will try to read between the lines with this. It has to be a clear indication that Nagy is inching closer to making Justin Fields the Week 1 starter. The head coach made it crystal clear that wasn’t the case. This is about expanding the development process for the quarterback.
Nothing more.
Dalton will get extra snaps in the upcoming preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills. That may not make a lot of people happy but Nagy doesn’t care. He isn’t doing this to satisfy their needs to see Fields play right now. He is doing this to ensure the kid has the best possible chance to have a successful NFL career. If that means waiting until he is ready? So be it.
