Justin Fields is going to see action for the Chicago Bears. It is only a matter of time. When will that be? Week 1? Week 5? Or 2022? Nobody can say for sure. Matt Nagy and the coaching staff control this narrative. They will make the final decision on when it’s time for Fields to play. The same can be said for Andy Dalton. He has the first crack at the starting job. The better he plays, the longer Fields will wait.
Everybody is focused on when he’ll play. A more interesting question worth asking is how well will he perform whenever he does. What sort of stat line could Bears fans reasonably expect? Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report broke down when he thinks the 11th overall pick will ultimately see his first action and what sort of numbers he’ll put up. If he is close on this prediction? People will be happy.
“Chicago cut starting tackles Bobby Massie and Charles Leno Jr. While rookie second-rounder Teven Jenkins has the potential to become a solid replacement, the Bears may need a more mobile quarterback to compensate for some lapses in pass protection. Look for Fields to take over the huddle midway through the term.
Projected Stats (Dalton): 204 completions, 319 attempts, 2,233 yards, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions
Projected Stats (Fields): 217 completions, 332 attempts, 2,406 yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, 94 carries, 463 rushing yards, four touchdowns”
That would be quite an opening statement.
For those who care to know, such a stat line would result in a 96.79 passer rating. That would be far and away the best a Bears rookie QB has ever produced. Not to mention one of the best a Bears QB has put up for half a season in franchise history. To say nothing of what he puts up on the ground, showcasing his obvious athleticism and speed as a runner. It would be a taste of things to come.
Moton seems to think Fields will take over at the midway point of the season. That would most likely be after the bye week following their game in Pittsburgh. This means he’d debut at Soldier Field against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. That would certainly be a noteworthy way to take your first NFL snaps. From there the schedule turns into a string of mostly divisional games intermixed with opponents like the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Giants.
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Justin Fields isn’t on a mission to be good
Everything about his conduct since high school demonstrates a burning desire to be great. His work ethic, his insatiable desire to learn, and his uncanny toughness illustrate how dedicated Fields is. He thirsts for the spotlight. This kid wants to be that franchise guy. To carry an organization to greatness just like he did at Ohio State. It is for this reason that he is putting in countless hours to claim that starting job sooner than later.
This upcoming training camp and preseason will be fascinating. Can Nagy hold to his original promise? Or will Justin Fields change the script? The month of August is going to be a fascinating one not just for the upcoming 2021 season but perhaps the future of the Bears franchise. Dalton can’t afford many hiccups in his preparation. It doesn’t look like the rookie plans to let him get comfortable.
As well he shouldn’t.
This is the NFL. Competition is part of everyday life. Everything is earned. Dalton was promised an opportunity to start. The Bears are still giving it to him. They can’t control if Fields simply outperforms him from this point forward. The veteran will just have to embrace the challenge and do everything he can to hold the rookie off. Here’s hope it all ends up serving Chicago’s ambitions for this season well.