The Chicago Bears enter a very interesting week in training camp. Joint practices with the Miami Dolphins will precede their first preseason game of 2021 — against the same Dolphins on Saturday at Soldier Field. In anticipation of this, the Bears released their first unofficial depth chart of training camp.
Thoughts on the Bears' first unofficial depth chart:
1. Cole Kmet overtaking Jimmy Graham is no surprise. And Jesse James sure didn't take long to make an impression. I guess forging a connection with the team's QB for the next few years is a good strategy. https://t.co/SpNKxVY8CZ
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
Plenty to dissect, and the thread above comments on a couple of key items.
For Bears fans, they’ve checked out on Andy Dalton since his signing and are instead eagerly waiting for Justin Fields to emerge under center on Saturday. Let’s see how he does in his first action against live bullets at NFL speeds.
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With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
Give me a reason to actually be excited for Andy Dalton.
— Tiger Uppercut ➡️⬇️↘️ 👊🏾 (@KiddChicago) August 10, 2021
Like I said above, Bears fans have been checked out on Dalton since he was signed. And I get it, he’s been something of a poster boy for average QBs during his career, and was done dirty by Cincinnati last offseason, when they released him late into the offseason, where the only opportunities were backup roles. I get that.
But also, having had a bottom-three QB room the last two seasons, how desperate do you think the Bears are for even sniffing average QB play? I’ve maintained for a long time now that the Bears’ offense would be substantially better with just average, low-variance QB play. That’s Dalton. He instantly makes the offense better. Here’s proof that I am not going off recency-bias (check the time stamp).
I'm three games into Andy Dalton's DAL tape (vs. ARI, @ WSH, @ MIN).
The upgrade is substantial.
No, he isn't good. But he's truly average/replacement-level, which is ~10-12 spots better than the Bears' 2020 disaster of a QB room.
I'm genuinely intrigued.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 3, 2021
(Keep in mind, those three games I watched as part of that tweet, the first two were his *statistical worst* of the season.)
Now, yes, I understand the Bears have a shiny new toy in Justin Fields and fans are excited about him. They should be — he’s a physical talent that the NFL hasn’t quite ever seen before. That, too, a pocket passer first! Everyone expected him to destroy Dalton in training camp.
Guess what? Dalton’s not only held his own, but looked GOOD in camp. While I always expected Dalton to be the steadier QB early on as Fields takes his lumps and learns, the fact that Dalton has looked legitimately good in making very good throws, developing chemistry with Allen Robinson, and showing incredible command of the offense is fantastic.
Fields has yet to see a single live bullet — he will this Saturday against Miami. If he looks strong even with the risk of being hit and his processor looks up to game speed, then the Bears may have a legitimate decision to make. Until then, they have the luxury of letting Fields get comfortable. The future is Fields and there’s no denying that. And yes, there’s an element of truth that playing is the best way to learn. But there is no need to be desperate here — Dalton has it handled until Fields is fully immersed and truly understands NFL speeds, and we could certainly be having a different conversation after the preseason is over.
Let’s put it this way, Dalton would’ve destroyed both Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles in last year’s uninspiring QB competition in camp. Like, truly destroyed. That awfully-quarterbacked team with a Swiss-cheese offensive line won eight games and made the playoffs.
Just imagine.
It's interesting that Ridley is in the Top-6 of WRs, per the Bears' first unofficial depth chart that was released today. Though I think the onus was always on Ridley to stand out more.
It appears he has been doing so. Fields and he have connected frequently in camp.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
If Dalton gets roughly two series' worth of plays, so most of the first quarter, I'd imagine Fields gets through the third quarter. Then Foles cleans up in the fourth.
And sounds good, happy to be on! Hope you've been well.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
I'd say fans should be monitoring for updates closely, but no reason to panic yet. Injuries are unfortunate, but there is still time for them to get right.
Also, the Bears' defensive front is excellent.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
I think he will play two quarters, so I will say under.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
Probably DEFCON 3 at the moment — aware that it's taking longer than the coaches may have expected, but there is still a good amount of time to get right.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
The Bears continue to feel that the injuries/absences on the OL are not too concerning. And there is plenty of time for them to get back. Though, yes, reps are important.
The Bears are always looking for improvements. Expect them to monitor final cuts very closely.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 10, 2021
