Bears increasing Justin Fields use promising but not any less frustrating
The Chicago Bears are impressed by Justin Fields enough to give him more packages and plays in Week 2 but that’s still frustrating for fans.
What most Chicago Bears fans would give to be able to have Matt Nagy give them a logical, well-thought-out answer as to why Justin Fields isn’t the starting quarterback for their favorite NFL team.
It’s been maddening for some time as Fields clearly gives the Bears a higher upside offensive than Andy Dalton, which was never more evident than in Week 1 in primetime when the veteran had the attack standing in mud and falling behind. But with each passing bit of information, the frustration only grows.
On Sunday ahead of Week 2 and a matchup with the Bengals, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Justin Fields continues to produce “WOW” moments in practice and will see increased usage and more packages for him in the Chicago offense.
Make no mistake, getting Justin Fields on the field is decisively better than not doing so. But at the same time, this is getting ridiculous. If a rookie quarterback that the franchise traded up in the first round to get is wowing people and coaches in practice, the answer is to not give him more sporadic reps — it’s to start him.
Matt Nagy continues to write his end with the Chicago Bears with his handling of the Justin Fields situation.
There is something admirable about the notion of not wanting Justin Fields to start until when it’s best for him. But we’re seeing time and again that the best time to start is as soon as these young talents are in the building. Furthermore, how are the Bears protecting Fields by allowing him to watch Andy Dalton in situations where the rookie actually has a better chance to succeed?
Fields’ mobility allows him to create when the offensive line, highlighted as a problem, breaks down in protection. His arm strength allows him to make throws that Dalton simply can’t. And the list goes on.
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When you see the totality of the situation, it’s seemingly impossible to arrive at an endpoint where Justin Fields isn’t the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears. Yet, somehow, Matt Nagy has managed that. And the more “packages” he continues to roll out while not giving the keys over the Fields is only going to further expedite the process of getting his pink slip ready.