NEWSLETTER
It finally happened. Again. Matt Nagy named Justin Fields the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback. But unlike the September announcement that put Fields into the lineup on a short-term basis while Andy Dalton was on the mend, the move made yesterday is a full-time endeavor. There is no turning back now. Justin Fields is officially QB1 on the depth chart.
In a moment of honesty, I think a healthy number of Bears fans would nod in agreement and say this is about the time many were expecting it would happen. The Bears being 2-2 after four games makes sense. Two challenging road battles — both ending in losses, mind you — against teams that made it to the second weekend of last year’s playoffs. One home win against a team on the rise that hasn’t put it all together just yet. And another against a divisional rival whom the Bears can claim ownership during the Matt Nagy era. But, in the end, a .500 record, the team’s offensive snuggles, and the allure of a rookie talented enough to lift this group to another level came together to push it into motion.
So, what’s next? Let’s allow Nagy and Fields to tell it themselves.
“He’s Earned It”
I thought it was important when Nagy said this of Fields on Wednesday: “This isn’t something that just happened right away. He’s grown to this point. He’s earned it, he’s worked hard, and now he has this opportunity.”
Maybe I’m being a tad bit contrarian, but the most important thing to me isn’t that Fields is starting. But instead, it’s that he earned his starting role.
The vibes are different than they were in 2017, and we shouldn’t overlook that aspect. Because in autumn 2017, Mike Glennon’s putrid play accelerated the process of pushing Mitchell Trubisky into the starting lineup. And while Dalton didn’t totally get a chance to establish himself, his short spurts were better than anything Glennon put on tape. Hence, we’re discussing Fields *EARNING* the role and not underscoring Dalton’s play as a reason to push the rookie into the starting lineup. It’s a small distinction. A footnote for the history books. But not wholly inconsequential.
Beware of Growing Pains
Moving forward, it’s important to set reasonable expectations. Just because it’s Fields’ time to shine doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps in the road. But that is why the Bears are installing him as the starter, right? Get that in-game experience he can’t get elsewhere, allow him to grow, evolve, and eventually, thrive. All because of the experience he gains as a starter during his rookie season.
This isn’t the case with all rookie QBs, but Nagy seems to know he’s dealing with someone special.
“We’re so confident with where Justin’s at, and it’s just continuing to let him grow,” Nagy said. “The biggest thing for us is to understand that it’s not going to be perfect. Justin knows that, right? We all understand. There are going to be times where [mistakes] happen. But we’ve got to continue to stay positive.”
And for what it’s worth, Fields knows it, too.
“You just have to learn from those mistakes, and try not to make those mistakes twice,” Fields said. “Every snap I get I’m going to see what I could have done better and try not to make those mistakes twice.”
Fields’ perspective is so important to have. Know the reality of the situation, don’t become complacent after earning a starting role, and continue to grow. At the end of the day, it will be a glowingly positive sign if we can look back and say Fields is better after Week 18 ends than he was when he began this journey.
Odds and Ends
• It shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle that the Bears did right in choosing Andy Dalton as a placeholder:
Andy Dalton called Justin Fields yesterday and told him "it was a great opportunity for me and that he'd be here for it all, for everything I needed," Fields said.
"He just didn’t want it to be awkward. He didn’t want our relationship to change because of the situation"
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 6, 2021
Let’s not gloss over the relationship between QB1 and QB2. The mentor-pupil relationship between Dalton and Fields is as important moving forward as it was to getting to this point. Dalton needs to serve the role of being a sounding board for Fields, someone who can pass on all he knows. But Dalton also needs to be an intermediary to Nagy and other offensive coaches. Helping as a bridge from Fields to the offensive braintrust is important, too. Oh … and Dalton must still prepare for the chance to contribute in a pinch.
It’s not an easy job, but based on the relationship these two seem to have, they can make good things happen.
• I felt this in my soul:
Justin Fields' response to a reporter asking him about how he feels about being the Bears' franchise QB for the next 10-15 years: "I don't even know if we're going to be on this Earth for the next 10-15 years"
— Jeremy Layton (@JeremyLayt0n) October 6, 2021
Seize the day, live for the moment, and do your best while you’re here because you never know when it’ll end.
And call your momma. I bet she’ll appreciate it.
• Just win, baby:
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1446132342154661891
But also … go out to dinner with your parents who are here to see you. We all value and appreciate your efforts to win for the Bears, but don’t forget to treat yourself along the way.
For more from Fields and Nagy, check out the videos below:
