Justin Fields didn’t look like the quarterback who dominated at Ohio State early in his first preseason game. There were definite signs of a rookie playing with some nerves. He went 2-of-6 on his first eight passing attempts with one coming dangerously close to being intercepted. Needless to say, there were plenty of nervous Chicago Bears fans at Soldier Field. Was this a sign of things to come?
One person who wasn’t worried about it was Matt Dickmann. He was the head coach of the Harrison High School’s football team down in Kennesaw, Georgia. During that span, he won 62 games, two regional titles, and a state championship in 2019. In his mind, he never coached a better player than Fields who was his starting QB in 2016 and 2017. One thing Dickmann learned about him quickly? Don’t expect moments of struggle to last long. Few he’s ever seen have Fields’ ability to lock in at the drop of a hat. He explained this to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.
The coach knew the exact moment his former QB turned it on.
Dickmann has always told people the cliché, but it’s one that fits his former quarterback. Fields has “ice water in his veins.” He knew the rough first three drives wouldn’t faze Fields.
“I watched (him) on the sideline right away (after the fumble), he had a smile on his face,” Dickmann said. “He was talking to the other players. I think it’s just his confidence level. I caught his interview, saying that he knew that they would be able to execute. Just be patient and let’s go out there and do our best. That’s him. He’s just got so much confidence now. I see it, every year of his life, that it’s just more and more confidence. I think he has such a belief in his ability and the people around him.”
He’s not lying. After that fumble, it seemed like Fields was a completely different quarterback. He started the game 2-of-6 for 10 yards. On his final four drives of the day, he went 12-of-14 for 132 yards and a touchdown. One of those incompletions was dropped. He also added 33 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. Miami had no answers for him. It’s fair to wonder if the score would’ve been as close as it was had he stayed in the game.
Either way, fans got what they wanted. To see Fields slice and dice a defense. It was confirmation that his talent was indeed as advertised. There is a long way to go before anybody can call him a good NFL quarterback. However, there was plenty of evidence to suggest he has the necessary mentality to handle this level. Something Dickmann has known for years.
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Justin Fields is now in a position to challenge Andy Dalton
Thus far head coach Matt Nagy has deflected any and all questions about the idea of there being any quarterback competition in Chicago. That is not the case. Things remain as they were months ago. Dalton is the starter and Fields is his backup. The goal of this preseason is to keep the veteran sharp while giving the rookie as many reps as possible to help further his development. Something many, many evaluators don’t agree with.
Everybody saw what Justin Fields did on Saturday. They have eyes. It is so obvious he is the most talented quarterback on the roster. He has the calm and poise necessary to handle the big stage. Is there really any point in holding him out? Nagy seems to think so. Yet the kid’s performance against Miami may have been the first key to unlocking the door to grabbing that job.
This coming week might be the most decisive of the summer.
If Fields continues to practice well and then delivers an encore against the Buffalo Bills next weekend? Nagy might not be able to stop the landslide of calls from all angles to give the kid the nod. Yes, he promised Dalton would get the first crack. Yet the reality is Nagy’s responsibility is to play the best quarterback. Inexperience or not, it looks like that is Fields.
