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The Chicago Bears concluded rookie minicamp on Sunday, where rookies took to the practice field for the first time. The story of the weekend was quarterback Justin Fields, who had a strong rookie camp. But that’s not enough to earn the starting job just yet.
Following Sunday’s practice, Matt Nagy reiterated what’s been the expectation all offseason — veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will get first-team reps once veteran practices begin.
“Andy is the starter,” Nagy said. “Andy’s going to get the one reps.”
That shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone that’s been listening to the Bears this offseason as they detailed the plan for developing Fields, which involves Dalton getting the starting reps.
But that hasn’t stopped the question from being asked — when will Fields finally get his turn? That’s what happens when you trade up to draft your hopeful franchise quarterback with the 11th overall pick.
“I know that time is the biggest question right now for Justin and I completely understand that, because there is an excitement, there is that want for all of us to see what Justin can do,” Nagy said. “We’d be lying to you if we didn’t say that or believe that. But we got to make sure as we go through this thing that we also do what’s best for the Bears and for Justin.”
But what does Fields have to do in order to earn the starting job?
Nagy explained that Fields must improve in speeding up his first-wide and post-snap vision — breaking the huddle and reading the defense — when he takes on his veteran teammates for the first time.
“He’s going to get a great opportunity to do that against our defense,” Nagy said. “I think that’s where we’re going to have to see, are there a lot of mistakes being made? Or are there a lot of good plays that are being made? And is it natural and is it easy for him? That’s what what we’ll evaluate. You’ll know when you watch it, you’ll see it and we’ll all feel it as coaches.”
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