Sep 19, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) gives a thumbs up to fans as he runs on the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
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It was inevitable to happen at some point soon, but Justin Fields will officially start for the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
With the clamoring for it to happen, came the door opening with Andy Dalton suffering a knee injury in Week 2. But it’s now official, with Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy announcing rookie Justin Fields will start under center Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Fields saw a bit of action (five snaps) in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, highlighted by a rushing touchdown. Dalton’s injury led to him seeing ,more extensive action against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. He completed six of 13 passes for 60 yards with an interception, while adding 31 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Nagys said Dalton is the Bears’ starting quarterback when he’s healthy. Even with the declaration Fields will start against the Browns, that’s still the plan.
Nagy calls Dalton “week to week” with left knee injury. Nick Foles will be the backup Sunday. He says when Dalton is healthy, the plan is for him to be the starter again.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 22, 2021
Justin Fields might take the starting job and never give it back
We’ve seen what Nagy is professing before. Head coaches try to say a rookie quarterback isn’t ready to start, while leaning into a “when” a veteran is healthy enough to take the job back. Former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn tried it with Justin Herbert just last year. A Rookie of the Year camaign from Herbert couldn’t save Lynn’s job.
Herbert came into a slightly better situation in terms of talent around him than Fields does now. But Fields could very well do the same thing Herbert did, sparking the team around him and doing all he can to overcome mediocre coaching.
If Fields struggles, Dalton being unavailable with an injury provides Nagy with an out based on the “when he’s healthy” narrative. But Fields should have a fairly long leash to go through the ups and downs all rookie quarterbacks go through, and there’s a good chance he never gives the starting job back.
