Matt Nagy has made his plan clear for almost a month now. Justin Fields is the future of the Chicago Bears. Nobody is disputing that fact. For the head coach, it’s a matter of how they reach the future that everybody wants. The one where Fields is an undeniable success. In Nagy’s mind, there is a formula. One he saw work once already in Kansas City and knows has worked multiple times in the long career of his mentor Andy Reid.

That formula is simple. Sit the talented rookie for most of his first year behind a smart, serviceable veteran. Give him time to absorb the offense. Then when it’s felt he is as ready as possible, give the green light to get him on the field. It worked for Donovan McNabb. It worked for Patrick Mahomes. There is no reason to think it can’t work for Fields too. The problem is that isn’t good enough for many.

Plenty of people think the Bears have no reason to delay the inevitable.

Andy Dalton is a fine player. A decent enough quarterback who has had some success. However, it doesn’t change one undeniable fact. Fields is significantly more talented than him. Isn’t the responsibility of the coaching staff to put the best players on the field at every position. Former wide receiver and current Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth thinks so. He told Pro Football Focus the risk is absolutely worth the reward with starting Fields immediately.

“I would play Justin Fields in Chicago. I think that Justin Fields is going to learn more, because he only got to play, what, six games or whatever it was. I guess eight with the playoffs and everything. He’s a guy I think I would throw in there right away…

…I think Justin Fields is going to be taken seriously from Day 1 by his teammates. You can live with some of those mistakes of a rookie in this season, because he’s going to make some spectacular plays.”

That last comment about the teammates was interesting. It’s easy to forget players have opinions of their own. They see these things up close and personal far more than fans or the media. If Fields comes right out in training camp and makes a huge impression, they may not like the idea of trying to make it work with Dalton when they know a better talent is sitting on the bench.

Justin Fields isn’t planning to patiently wait his turn

That is something he’s never done. This is the same guy who transferred out of Georgia when he realized he may not start until his junior. Then he organized a massive movement to get the Big 10 to return for the 2020 season when it seemed like he might not get to play. Fields is a man who routinely comes across as somebody who won’t be denied. He even made it clear from his press conference at the start of rookie minicamps.

He’s gunning for that starting job. Justin Fields is not going to rock the boat with controversial comments. He respects Dalton and trusts the plan Nagy has for him. Even so, his job is to accelerate the timetable. Whatever it takes to get on that field as quickly as possible. So don’t expect him to come out all passive when training camp begins in July. He will be out to send a message. That job belongs to him.

Dalton better be prepared for a battle.

One key difference this time around is Fields will have an additional advantage. The return of the preseason. That could give him an extra avenue to show coaches that he isn’t in awe of the NFL spotlight. Russell Wilson used it to great effect in 2012, significantly outperforming Matt Flynn. Fields can do the same. All he needs is for that window to stay open.