The Chicago Bears decided to play the long game with Justin Fields. While everybody wants to see the 11th overall pick play, head coach Matt Nagy wanted to give him extra time to prepare. To see the game from the safety of the sideline while sprinkling him into action during certain situations. While that happens, he’d run the scout team every week in practice, challenging the Bears defense.

From what Ian Rapoport had to say on NFL Network prior to kickoff for Week 2? The results have exceeded expectations to this point. As Fields has continued to work and grow more comfortable in the offense, his “wow” moments have grown more numerous. Sources inside Halas Hall indicate the rookie is developing faster than even the most optimistic projections the Bears had. The excitement around him is palpable.

It feels like the inevitable has begun to happen.

While Nagy still wishes to move forward with Dalton as the starter, Justin Fields isn’t letting that happen. His impact on the field is one thing. He was the only one of them to score a touchdown last week in Los Angeles and only played five snaps. Now throw in the fact that he’s winning over the locker room with his performances in practice? The groundswell to get him out there is becoming almost impossible to resist.

Rumors are if Dalton doesn’t deliver today against the Bengals, there is a realistic chance Fields will be starting by Week 4 against the Detroit Lions. A significant departure from the Patrick Mahomes model Nagy was trying to emulate. While nobody can fault the head coach for trying to do what is best for both the team and the player, the facts are inescapable. Fields is making it clearer than ever that he is ready to play. Holding him back makes no logical sense at this point.