The Chicago Bears are five practices into training camp now, with their first full-pad practice coming today at Soldier Field.
However, things have been heating up on the field, with Andy Dalton and Justin Fields looking better each day, the defensive front looking stronger than ever, Jesse James coming on strong as TE3, and a fierce battle at the WR and CB positions.
Really only only takeaway from Bears camp today:
Justin Fields was good. It's the velocity of his throws, particularly over the middle, but also how often he gives his WRs/TEs a chance to make plays.
His scrambling and ability to change his arm angle on throws stood out, too.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 2, 2021
Obviously, fans are giddy about Fields’ reported improvements in practice, but Andy Dalton has been no slouch himself — still separating himself as the better QB right now. He’s been everything the Bears hoped for when they signed him, and he’s showing no signs (yet) of relinquishing his hold on the starting job.
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The Bears’ first preseason game is in less than two weeks — against Miami at Soldier Field. That’ll be the fans’ first glimpse of everything in a live game. Should be fun.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
If 2021 is a borderline playoff year with Rodgers now back, why not start Fields and get him a full year of experience going into 2022 with a better cap situation to add talent and possibly no Rodgers in the division? He sis probably as ready as any other QB in this class.
— Joe Barczak (@jtbcubs) August 2, 2021
Back when the Bears drafted Justin Fields, Matt Nagy talked about a plan to ensure that he’s truly ready to play before he takes snaps (unless there’s an injury). He repeated that same strategy throughout the offseason.
Interestingly, when asked similarly on the first presser of training camp, Nagy didn’t quite press that same point. It led to speculation that Fields must have closed the gap quickly since minicamp.
However, the goal remains the same — Fields has to absolutely be ready, not just physically, but mentally, to take over the QB1 role. And while Fields has been improving, he is still not a better a QB than Andy Dalton yet. Dalton has, to the apparent surprise of many, been in complete command/control of the offense in training camp. He’s not just been throwing with anticipation and timing, but accurately, and with a good deep ball. Five practices in, and he’s been the better QB in every practice. While that’s expected for those who are good evaluators, the reality is the Bears have validation in their plan to start a solid veteran in Dalton while Fields continues to learn.
Fields has all the physical talent in the world. In fact, the NFL hasn’t seen a physical talent like Fields… maybe ever. But the challenge with Fields was always going to be mentally — can he learn the offense, command a huddle, align protections, identify blitzes/coverages, identify what’s happening post-snap (quickly), and make the right reads?
Fields seems to be checking some of those boxes as we progress in training camp, but he’s still got a ways to go. We haven’t even seen them with “live bullets” flying — in a preseason setting yet.
The Bears have a truly solid QB to start in Week 1 while their prized rookie keeps learning. The NFL is fast and entirely different from what Fields knows at the college level. The Bears are better off letting Dalton set an example.
I think Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd are pretty locked in on the WR3 and WR4 spots (in no particular order).
Dazz Newsome should lock up the WR5 spot, and that leaves a pretty sizable battle for WR6.
But Goodwin and Byrd will see plenty of snaps in the regular season.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 3, 2021
I've long maintained that I think Fields' first start will be against Baltimore at Soldier Field.
If that's the case, Dalton is in line to start nine games.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 3, 2021
If the Colts come to the Bears with interest, I'm sure the Bears will take the first offer that comes from them. Foles said some other teams (I'd bet the Jets) came to the Bears earlier in the offseason re: a trade proposal, and it didn't work out. Indy would be best for him.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 2, 2021
Releasing Foles is actually more expensive for the Bears (this year) than keeping him. They could trade him for a draft pick (if, say, Indianapolis comes calling). But the Bears are more than content with keeping him on the roster in 2021 and releasing him in the offseason.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 3, 2021
It's reportedly looking outstanding. The DL / defensive front is looking as strong as it ever has with Trevis Gipson flashing, Robert Quinn looking faster, and Eddie Goldman returning (of course).
The CB spots are still a bit of a question mark, but they are competing.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 2, 2021
Nagy didn't shoot it down during the first presser of training camp, so folks seem to think it's possible. Personally, I don't. Andy Dalton has been everything the Bears expected him to be so far in camp, so I think they are comfortable with him being the Week 1 starter. (1/2)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 2, 2021
(Answer continued below.)
Even if Justin Fields is looking decent, which he reportedly has looked better the last two practices, he isn't above Dalton yet, so there's no reason to debate it, in the Bears' minds.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 2, 2021
