Justin Fields had a solid enough showing in the first joint practice between the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. While he did have some interceptions and other iffy decisions, he also delivered some solid throws and looked sharp during certain sessions. It was going to be interesting to see how the rookie handled the second practice on Thursday. Would it be more of the same? Perhaps the Dolphins would play him better after seeing him the first time?

Nope. Quite the opposite actually. By multiple accounts, the 11th overall pick was almost unstoppable during multiple periods of practice. Everything was on display from his scrambling prowess to his improvisational skill, to his understated accuracy. Miami had no answers for him, especially during the red zone periods where he burned them for touchdowns both through the air and on the ground.

Most would agree this was his best practice yet in a Bears uniform.

Justin Fields just delivered a strike to the right side of the field falling to his left on his back foot against 2 dolphin DBs to what looked like Jesse James. That was….impressive to say the least.

— #TheBIGS (@itsthebigs) August 12, 2021

@justnfields continues to display phenomenal arm talent! While being flushed to his left, he floated an absolute DIME back to the right sideline about 20yards down the field for a completion. He can make every single throw, from any angle.

— #TheBIGS (@itsthebigs) August 12, 2021

Second day of the Bears-Dolphins joint practices is now over. I spent most of the day watching the Bears' offense vs. the Dolphins' defense. Just two thoughts:

1. Justin Fields was the best player on Field 3.

2. Andy Dalton's struggles were real vs. the Dolphins' starters.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 12, 2021

Justin Fields had himself a day today. Dominated in RZ drills, looked sharp with his throws. Only blemish was a near INT. But a hell of a day for the QB. #Bears

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 12, 2021

Justin Fields was on fire during a deep red zone period vs. the Dolphins. Had three touchdown passes and a nifty out-of-the-pocket scramble that resulted in a rushing TD (should note that QBs are not to be touched in practice).

— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) August 12, 2021

Well there’s no doubt the best QB on either field today was Justin Fields. Just completed a nearly perfect red zone period. Only incompletion was a drop by Riley Ridley in the back corner of the end zone on a good ball. All of Fields’ talent was on display. #Bears

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 12, 2021

This speaks to what many have said about Fields since he arrived in Chicago. He is a quick learner. Once you show him something, he tends to remember it to perfection. So one can guess the Dolphins’ defense threw a lot at him in the first practice from a schematic standpoint. It worked well at times. However, after having 24 hours to digest it? The quarterback wasn’t going to be fooled a second time.

That is exactly what head coach Matt Nagy wants to see. Progression. Learning from mistakes and making sure they don’t happen a second time. Everything points to Justin Fields having loads of momentum going into the preseason opener on Saturday. He’s produced some of his best practices to date within days of each other. It is clear the next step is actual live game snaps. Nagy plans to get him as many as possible, stating the rookie could go from late in the 1st quarter all the way to the start of the 4th.

It should be fun.

Justin Fields has passed the first test

Or at least he has in the minds of the fans and media. He looks great in practice. That alone is good enough in their eyes to consider starting him right away. Nagy though won’t be so easily swayed. The next step is getting Fields some game action. Can he take what he’s done in practice and apply it to the real action. This is often the most difficult step for most young quarterbacks.

Justin Fields is still a rookie. That comes with caution about whether it’s a wise decision to play him. As talented as he is, mistakes will become inevitable. This is why the Bears feel more comfortable with Dalton. While he isn’t as talented, his experience makes him the steadier choice right now. It’s up to Fields to change their minds.

Playing well on national TV at Soldier Field will help.

The question is will he have enough help? One big issue that won’t go away is the depleted state of the Bears’ offensive line. Injuries continue to ravage the unit as multiple starters and primary backups remain out. The biggest fear for most is whether Fields will get the protection he needs to function.