Category: Chicago Bears

WATCH: Justin Fields’ helmet goes flying after crushing hit

Watch Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields take a devastating blow and lose his helmet against the Buffalo Bills

The Chicago Bears appear to have their quarterback of the future (and present) in first-round pick Justin Fields, but they might want to stop letting defenders get free shots at him.

Buffalo Bills defender Andre Smith made the most of his unblocked opportunity to give Fields a “welcome to the NFL” moment during Saturday’s preseason matchup, delivering a devastating blow that sent Fields’ helmet flying (via Pro Football Focus).

Fields didn’t appear to sustain any injury from the hit, and continued to build upon the success he had in his preseason debut.

[vertical-gallery id=629332]

Breaking down Justin Fields’ preseason debut for Bears

Check out this breakdown of Justin Fields’ NFL preseason debut for the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears scored the steal of the first round in the 2021 NFL draft when they traded up to grab Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields at the No. 11 overall pick.

Fields’ preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins was impressive, as Fields showed off all the mental and physical tools that should have made him the No. 2 overall pick after Trevor Lawrence.

Watch the video above to see NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger break down Fields first game action at the pro level.

[vertical-gallery id=629332]

WATCH: Best highlights of Justin Fields’ preseason debut for Bears

Check out all the best plays from Justin Fields’ NFL preseason debut for the Chicago Bears

It’s only one preseason game, but Justin Fields is already looking like the franchise quarterback the Chicago Bears hoped they were getting when they traded up to select him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Fields delivered an impressive preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night, scoring through the air and on the ground as the Bears kicked off their exhibition slate.

Watch the video above to see all the best highlights from Fields’ performance.

[vertical-gallery id=629096]

Bears getting battle-tested pass protector in Teven Jenkins

The Chicago Bears landed one of the most effective pass protectors in the 2021 NFL draft with Teven Jenkins

The Chicago Bears were one of the most aggressive teams in the league during the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL draft, trading up in each round to land a potential difference-maker at a premium position on offense.

After moving up nine spots to land Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the first round, the Bears made another bold move to kick off Day 2, trading up to select Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.

Jenkins has the skill set to play inside or outside at the next level, though the majority of his experience for the Pokes came at right tackle, where he proved himself to be one of the nation’s most effective pass protectors:

It should take long for Fields to take over the starting quarterback job in Chicago, and when he does, he’ll have a premium tackle to grow with in the coming years.

[vertical-gallery id=628483]

Could the Bears actually sit Justin Fields for his entire rookie season?

The Chicago Bears sure sound like they’re willing to let Justin Fields ride the bench for his entire rookie season

The Chicago Bears made a bold move in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, trading up to land Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields with the No. 11 overall pick.

Grabbing a passer of Fields’ caliber that late in the draft was a huge win for the Bears, especially considering their current quarterback situation, with veteran Andy Dalton currently penciled in as their Week 1 starter.

But to hear Bears head coach Matt Nagy tell it, it sure sounds like Fields could be in for plenty of clipboard duty and not much on-field action during his rookie season (via Pro Football Focus):

It’s understandable to plan for your veteran to be the starter while your rookie develops, and that approach obviously paid off for the Kansas City Chiefs with Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. But there are examples on the other side of the coin, as well (Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn for the Seattle Seahawks, perhaps), where the rookie is just that much better than the veteran, and deserves to be the starter.

Training camp could obviously make it clear which approach is better for the Bears this season, but it would be surprising if Dalton plays well enough to keep a young stud like Fields on the bench all year long.

[vertical-gallery id=628483]

Top 2021 NFL draft needs for the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears should be focused on filling these needs in the 2021 NFL draft

The Chicago Bears had as much of a roller-coaster season as a team can get in the NFL, and their chaotic 2020 finished with a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Though they have one of the most expensive rosters in the league, they still have several glaring needs, and the 2021 NFL draft will give them the chance to address those weaknesses.

Here are some of their biggest needs heading into the offseason:

Deshaun Watson says Bears ‘never once’ talked to him during draft process

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson says he never heard from the Chicago Bears leading up to the NFL draft

The Chicago Bears have taken their share of grief for trading up in the 2017 NFL Draft for Mitchell Trubisky instead of Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson, and with good reason.

While Mahomes and Watson have become two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, Trubisky has failed to establish himself as even a serviceable starter in Chicago. The team recently declined his fifth-year option after trading a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft for Nick Foles.

Not only did the Bears not pick Watson after trading up to the No. 2 overall pick in that draft, they never showed any interest in him whatsoever, according to Watson himself:

It’s hard to imagine what else Watson could have done throughout his stellar career at Clemson to get the Bears’ attention. I’m betting he has it now.

[vertical-gallery id=619272]

2020 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears team preview

Everything Chicago Bears fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Chicago Bears fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt Nagy

General Manager: Ryan Pace

2019 Record: 8-8

2020 DRAFT PICKS

2 (43, from Raiders)

2 (50)

5 (163)

6 (196)

6 (200, from Eagles)

7 (226, from Raiders)

7 (233)

TEAM NEEDS

Offensive Guard

With the retirement of Kyle Long, the Bears currently have a big hole at right guard. While Germain Ifedi was signed for cheap to provide veteran competition for the starting spot, look for them to throw a draft prospect into the mix and have him fight for reps – and don’t be surprised if that rookie is a player who started at center in college.

Defensive Back

After Prince Amukamara was released and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix having left in free agency for Dallas, the Bears have needs at both cornerback and safety. They seem to be confident in taking a cheap approach to both positions, but don’t be surprised if one of their two second-round picks was used on a defensive back.

Wide Receiver

It may not seem like a major need on paper, but the Bears don’t have a dynamic speed option at wide receiver at the moment. Taylor Gabriel was released, and though second-year wideout Riley Ridley is a talented player, he doesn’t bring that game-breaking speed to the ‘Z’ receiver position that Gabriel did. If the Bears like the value enough early on, they could look at add a wideout to a room that already features Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller.

TOP TARGETS

Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan

Lloyd Cushenberry | OL | LSU

A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson

Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois

Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU

[vertical-gallery id=615330]