Justin Fields had a chance to practice against a different team for the first time. An opportunity head coach Matt Nagy was anxious to give him and the other Chicago Bears quarterbacks. He felt it was a great chance to get them some work against a team that operates differently from a schematic standpoint. Something they’re going to see every week when the regular season begins.
During his Thursday pre-practice press conference, Nagy sounded pleased with what he saw from them. Indeed reports out of Halas Hall were both Fields and Andy Dalton had stretches of practice where they looked sharp. The Miami Dolphins though have a good defense and it made its presence felt quite often, both with mock sacks and interceptions. Nagy expected that and wasn’t discouraged. However, he did point out there was one sequence of practice he felt could’ve been better.
“I thought yesterday was a good day for those quarterbacks and then when we got to the 2-minute (situations), that’s where I feel like that we were just okay. We didn’t get enough done. The situation was a minute (and) 40 to go in the 4th quarter, down two, need a field goal, one timeout. You’re at the minute 40-yard line, so you’re in good shape. You should be able to get a field goal there. We weren’t real successful there.”
This makes some sense.
Execution in the two-minute offense requires quarterbacks to think and execute quicker than normal. Time is against them. They have to understand the situation and know which plays are coming in. Combine that with a defense like the Dolphins that is known for being aggressive both with their coverage and their blitzes? It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Fields and Dalton struggled.
Remember that both are in their first year of learning this offense. One that is widely known for being complicated. There were bound to be hiccups in executing two-minute drills. Especially against a defense they were seeing for the first time. This is precisely why Nagy wanted these joint practices. To give Fields a chance to learn. The more he sees in these practices, the better prepared he’ll be.
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Matt Nagy will not deviate from his quarterback plan
As the second joint practice commences, the head coach has one eye fixed on this coming Saturday. That is where the Bears will hold their first preseason game since 2019. It seems like he already knows exactly how it will unfold. Dalton will get a series or two in the 1st quarter. He’s a long-time veteran and doesn’t really need the work. After that? Expect a lot of Fields. Nagy said the rookie will get a lot of work. Perhaps even going into the 4th quarter.
The goal is obvious. Get him as many live-game reps as possible. Of course, situations could determine a different outcome. If it’s becoming clear the offensive line can’t protect him adequately, they might pull him early. Or maybe he plays well enough to where they feel more work isn’t necessary. It all depends on what Matt Nagy sees. Either way, it’s apparent he knows what he wants.
That is a good thing.
It will be interesting to see how the quarterbacks do in the second joint practice. Will they be more efficient and execute better? No longer flustered by what the Dolphins are throwing at them? Reports will likely slip out in the next couple of hours. Expect them to be mixed as before, but hopefully with nuggets about improvement.