USA TODAY names Justin Fields as one of 17 NFL impact rookies

According to USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, former Ohio State QB Justin Fields is going to be one of the NFL’s impact rookies.

Justin Fields — A Chicago difference-maker in year one

Ohio State QB Justin Fields won't fall beyond this team says USA TODAY
Credit: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics

What Middlehurst-Schwartz Says

“With GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy under pressure to win now, how long can they afford to sit the rookie? Andy Dalton isn’t Mike Glennon, but he’s not 2017 Alex Smith, either — and this offense is a far cry from the one Nagy coordinated in Kansas City when Patrick Mahomes was able to sit as a rookie. While Dalton seems likely to begin the year as a starter, it’s probably a pipe dream for him to finish it that way if Chicago is to remain competitive. When the time comes, Fields has proven himself a deadly accurate passer who avoids turnovers and makes things happen off-script — all elements that the Bears are in need of.”

NEXT … What we say