Justin Fields At Starting Quarterback For The Bears? Not Quite Yet

By Jordan Long

The Chicago Bears fell to 0-1 after a 34-14 defeat by the L.A. Rams.  The Bears started Andy Dalton at quarterback but rookie Justin Fields saw some action.  With the loss,  the question for Head Coach Matt Nagy is should Fields start in week 2?

                Dalton didn’t play terribly in week 1.  He passed for 206 yards but didn’t have a touchdown.  Dalton was picked off in the endzone on the Bears’ first possession of the game.  It wasn’t his fault as the pass was tipped by a Rams defender.  Besides the interception, Dalton was pressured all night.  His offensive line didn’t block well for him and he was sacked 3 times.

                Fields was put into the game on special sets at quarterback.  Fields didn’t do a lot of passing with 2 pass attempts that were caught for 10 yards.  He also ran the ball 1 time for 3 yards when he scored a touchdown.  Most of his plays, Fields handed the ball off to the running back.

Following the game, Nagy had to answer questions about Fields.  According to CBSsports.com, Nagy said about Fields’ performance, “He did a great job.  He’s a weapon for us. He obviously made a helluva run … The times that he got in there, he did well … (and) we’ll continue to keep growing  with that stuff.”

                The Bears’ problems weren’t just on Dalton.  The defense didn’t do their job either.  The Bears gave up 386 yards, 312 of that through the air.  The defense was gashed and allowed deep throws by Matt Stafford where his receiver was wide open.  There wasn’t a defensive player in the area.  The defense was unable to create a lot of pressure on Stafford and he was comfortable most of the night.  They had 1 sack on him and the defense didn’t even cause a turnover.

                The Bears should stick with Dalton.  He was not the reason they lost this game.  Sure his interception in the end zone didn’t help, but even if they had scored, they still might have lost by a big margin.  Dalton should have his job until he struggles.  If there is a game where he tosses 2 or 3 interceptions and the game is a blow out, then put Fields in at quarterback and let him see what he can do in the 3^rd or 4^th quarter.  Dalton will most likely be the starter until the season goes south.  Fields is still a project and it could be a while until he sees more time in the NFL. Fields needs to study and understand NFL defenses.