Justin Fields is competing with Andy Dalton for the starting quarterback job in Chicago, but he still thinks Bears fans should support the veteran this preseason.
The next generation in Chicago may start sooner than Andy Dalton expected.
Bears fans are ready for the Justin Fields experience starting Week 1, but it appears Matt Nagy is opting to take things slow with his talented rookie out of Ohio State. That — by most responsible accounts — is an intelligent tactic, though Fields’ play on the field suggests he may be ready by Week 1.
This goes against the Bears’ thinking, as they signed Dalton to a one-year, $10 million, which could be worth up to $13 million with incentives. Despite the pleading on Chicago sports radio, Nagy is set to stick with his original plan.
Chicago Bears: Justin Fields wants fans to support Andy Dalton
In two preseason games so far, Fields has looked like the better player, even if he’s facing worse competition. Fans are clamoring for Nagy to pull the trigger on naming the rookie the starting quarterback right away.
Fields knows this is all part of the process.
“The fans are awesome getting me out there, but you also have to realize that Andy is a human being, too. Andy is out on the field right now. So I think it’s kind of disrespectful to Andy them cheering my name out like that. … My advice to them would be: Just cheer for who is out there playing on the field,” Fields said after the Bears second preseason game.
As disrespectful as it may be, such is always the case when a high draft pick comes in to take a proven veteran’s job. There is no easy way out.
Eventually, Fields will take Dalton’s spot. It’s only a matter of time.