Since training camp opened in late July, the Chicago Bears have operated with a clear structure regarding their quarterbacks. Andy Dalton works with the first-team offense, Justin Fields with the second, and Nick Foles the third. There is no shuffling guys up and down. Dalton is the starter and Fields is the primary backup. That being said, it appears Matt Nagy has still found ways to challenge his 1st round pick.
One such method came during Friday’s practice. It was the first to feature live tackling in training camp. The next phase in getting the team ready for the regular season. So in an effort to further evaluations, Nagy made a change. During certain periods, the Bears’ first-string defense would go against the second-string offense. That meant Fields would get his first taste of what top quality NFL defenses would look like.
It didn’t start well.
Just moments into the period, Roquan Smith knifed into the backfield and intercepted a Fields shovel pass. It was a fantastic play by the linebacker. While the mistake belonged to the rookie, it is difficult to fault him too much. He had no way of knowing Smith would get into the backfield that fast. A reminder of how banged up the offensive line is. The best part though? It didn’t seem to discourage the QB. He responded quickly according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.
“On the next play on the goal line, he found rookie running back Khalil Herbert, who broke a tackle attempt by DeAndre Houston-Carson and scored. Earlier in the drill, he side-armed a touchdown pass to tight end J.P. Holtz. Both touchdowns were scored against the Bears’ first-team defense, too. His best pass was during seven-on-sevens: a perfectly thrown bomb to wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson for a touchdown.”
Keep this in mind. Fields did that with players who will end up as backups or not even on the practice squad by the end of this month.
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- Jon’Vea Johnson
- Chris Lacy
- Rodney Adams
- Jester Weah
- J.P. Holtz
- Khalil Herbert
For him to deliver some big plays against a defense featuring a number of Pro Bowl-caliber players? That is more than a little noteworthy. Perhaps a taste of his ability to elevate others around him.
Justin Fields has plenty to still prove but the signs are there
It’s been hard for the Bears to keep their excitement under control. Rumors keep slipping out of Halas Hall about how much Fields has impressed them. Blown them away even. They always knew his physical talents were as good as it gets. What they weren’t ready for was his insane work ethic and high football IQ. The kid is obsessed. He’s at the facility longer than anybody else. He stays after practice to continue working. He’ll constantly pepper anybody and everybody with questions.
More than anything, it’s been his steady progression from the start of camp to now that stands out. His improvement has been steady and noticeable. Every day he seems to get a little better. Whenever he makes a mistake, he’s swift to forget it ever happened. That competitiveness also shows up a lot. Justin Fields doesn’t like the defense getting one over on him without a quick receipt. The starting unit found that out.
At this point, it isn’t about whether the QB can be good.
It is whether the Bears can protect him. Injuries have rocked the position with their top four tackles out of action. Not to mention starting guard James Daniels. So the issue has shifted from when Fields should play to whether he should at all. At least until the team can be certain the blocking won’t potentially get him killed.