Justin Fields

Takeaways from Chicago Bears training camp: Friday August 6th

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Friday morning saw the Chicago Bears kickoff the first of what will be three practices wearing pads heading into the weekend. After another day at training camp, here are some quick observations heading into the weekend:

  • If I had to pick a winner today, it’d be the defense. Friday marks the first of three padded practices for the Bears going into the weekend and the defense was clearly more fired up compared to the offense. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai has added some life to a defense that many seemed to be writing off throughout the offseason. 
  • Also, it’s getting harder and harder to evaluate where the Bears’ OL is really at compared to the Bears’ defense, especially with the injury bug stinging the OL. Offensive tackles Larry Borom and Lachavious Simmons are being evaluated for concussions, per multiple reports. The hope is that Teven Jenkins recovers fast enough with the Miami Dolphins coming to town for joint practices and a preseason game very soon. 
  • Former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was present in the building. Early on, there was some speculation that the Bears hired him in a consultant role, especially after the Eagles fired him at the start of the offseason. Pederson was on the practice field talking to Dalton and Foles, but Pederson was just visiting his old friend Nagy. 
  • Does anyone else find it completely odd that QB Nick Foles said on Tuesday that he’s a better version of himself compared to years past and yet Foles had multiple interceptions in practice today? Seriously, that’s got to be a bad look for Foles, who didn’t exactly dice up the third-string defense today. 
  • The pads were on today and the intensity was on another level. Akiem Hicks was clearly having lots of fun out there.
  • Won’t lie, CB Kindle Vildor had himself a strong day and continues to make a push for the starting CB2 job opposite Jaylon Johnson.
  • Both quarterbacks had really strong days today. Dalton will continue to be QB1 until the coaching staff decides to make a switch but Fields’ progress cannot be overlooked as there was noticeable improvement today.
  • This running back room, even with Tarik Cohen out continues to impress. Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert made some plays in practice today, making RB one of the best positions on the team throughout training camp.
  • Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin had another strong practice. He could be WR3 in this offense pretty soon.

 

Be sure to follow Fireside Bears on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Instagram for all the latest updates on all things Chicago Bears.

 

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy details Justin Fields development

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On Monday, when the Chicago Bears report to Halas Hall for week two of training camp, all eyes will once again be on rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Throughout the offseason, Fields has continued to impress the Bears with his work ethic. Prior to leaving for summer break, the Bears had a simple homework assignment for Fields: Learn how to call a play effectively into a huddle.

Fields spent summer break mastering this. On Monday morning, Bears head coach Matt Nagy detailed what the next step is in Fields development as the Bears continue to develop their future franchise quarterback. Bears head coach Matt Nagy has used the word “plan” multiple times throughout the offseason as a way to describe where Fields is really at and how the Bears plan to develop the 11th overall pick moving forward.

“Well now, so I think he really has the huddle part down in regards to calling the plays,” Nagy said via the Bears official Twitter account. “He sees the play when he calls it. He doesn’t just ready the play now, he’s past that, so you can check that one off. He’s got to continue to do that. Now, it’s going to be going through his progressions, post-snap. Things change. Disguise coverages. They hide their blitzes, knowing where your protection calls are, being on the same page with the center. And that’s where I think now when things get real when you start putting the pads on, and the tempo picks up, and you’re playing, now we want to be able to see him execute plays and play fast. That’s probably the biggest thing.”

Effectively going through post-snap progressions throughout training camp will allow Fields to get an idea of what to expect during NFL games. What does on in training camp is never comparable to an NFL game but it’ll still be a good enough test for the Bears coaching staff to see where Fields is really at when it comes to his development.

 

31 questions to Bears camp: Is Justin Fields making the QB decision hard?

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When the Chicago Bears report to training camp on Tuesday, all eyes will be on rookie quarterback Justin Fields. The 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields has continued to impress this offseason, exciting the Bears fanbase for 2021 and beyond.

The Bears coaching staff has been very clear about who the week one starter will be: Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. When training camp officially begins, so will an evaluation period at the QB position. There are advantages and disadvantages to starting Dalton but starting Fields week one gives the Bears coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate Fields progress throughout the course of a 17-game season.

“Just getting better everyday,” Fields said via the Bears official Youtube page. “I mean, I’ve been in a situation like this before and all I did was get better. I feel like if you can control what you can control and come to work everyday with a positive attitude and a want to get better then there’s no stopping you.”

Fields’ actions have made it clear that he’ll show up to Halas Hall everyday over the next few weeks with the mindset of preparing like the starting quarterback, hoping to make steady, incremental improvement, even if it means eventually winning the starting job.

“Great things don’t happen all at once. I’m just going to be patient,” Fields said. “I’ve been in this situation before where I’ve had to learn behind a guy, so this is nothing new for me. I’m just going to take it day by day, get better each and everyday. I’m going to trust coach Nagy and the whole coaching staff here to develop me and make me the best quarterback I can be.”

Whether he’s the opening week starter or sitting on the bench come week one against the Los Angeles Rams, Fields has made it clear that by getting better everyday, he’s willing to push the Bears coaching staff to make a difficult decision, benefitting the Bears in the present and in the long-run.

31 questions to Bears camp: Will Andy Dalton hold off Justin Fields?

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New York Giants, Leonard Williams

When the Chicago Bears officially report to training camp, all eyes will be on the quarterback position which features veteran Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields. Dalton, who enters his 11th season in the NFL has been labeled at the week one starter for the Bears, a decision that many view as being made too soon.

Rather than let a quarterback competition decide the starter, all questions have now shifted as to whether or not Dalton can really hold off Fields. For Bears fans, it’s simple: Forget about Dalton and just start Fields immediately. Why waste any time getting a glimpse of what the future of the franchise can do?

The reality is that both Dalton and Fields possess unique advantages. Dalton has been a regular NFL starter since 2011, has experience with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, and understands the speed of the NFL game. Fields on the other has tons of time on his side and has a dual-threat skillset that Dalton lacks.

Throughout OTA’s and minicamp, Dalton has used his experience as a means of being vocal, especially for the Bears offense, whose oldest players include Dalton, tight end Jimmy Graham, and wide receiver Allen Robinson.

“It comes with experience and how things should look,” Dalton said this offseason via the Bears official YouTube Channel. “So, I think, playing the position of quarterback, you’re obviously going to have a voice but then you throw the experience in and how long I’ve been doing this into the mix and you’re in that leadership position and you want to make sure things are going the right way. I’m trying to do everything I can to make us the best team we will be come the Fall.”

Those outside Halas Hall simply see a bridge quarterback in Dalton, however, Dalton has clearly commanded the Bears offense this offseason as a means of continuing to hold of Fields until the Bears coaching staff is ready to play the 11th overall pick.

Chicago Bears: Biggest questions at the QB position

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New York Giants, Leonard Williams

The Chicago Bears will start training camp at Halas Hall in just over two weeks, with significant turnover at the quarterback position. The Bears moved on from Mitchell Trubisky this offseason, replacing the former second overall pick with veteran Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields. Set to return is also veteran Nick Foles, who started seven games for the Bears in 2020, winning just two games.

As Chicago continues to get ready for the 2021 season, what are three questions at the quarterback position? Let’s find out.

1) How long will Dalton hold off Fields?

The million-dollar question that has every Bears fan buzzing: When will Fields start? Bears head coach Matt Nagy has consistently said this offseason that a plan exists to develop Fields. Part of that plan is hoping Dalton plays well enough to hold off Fields, giving the Bears a stable bridge quarterback.

Chicago has a brutal schedule in 2021 but expect Fields to play at some point. Those in favor of starting the rookie quarterback hope that Fields is starting in Chicago’s week four contest at home against the Detroit Lions. Others prefer to let Fields sit the entire year, similar to how Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith for 15 games in Kansas City during the 2017 season.

Dalton will need to start off fast week one against the Los Angeles Rams and begin to stack consecutive wins against teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and Las Vegas Raiders to remain starter. That means winning at least four of Chicago’s first five games to have a chance at starting between weeks six and nine.

2) Will the Bill Lazor offense have an impact on Fields’ development?

When the Bears handed playcalling duties to Bill Lazor late in 2020, immediate life was sparked in Chicago’s offense. Heading into 2021, we know that Nagy will call plays but we don’t know what scheme the Bears will run. Should Chicago decide to run the play-action offense it ran with Lazor calling plays, the Bears will significantly slow down the game for Fields, allowing the 11th overall pick to play faster.

Fields has shown he’s a dual-threat quarterback who can hit any throw on the field or hurt a defense with his mobility. Expect the Bears offense to develop a pass-first identity with Fields first read being a deep throw down the field. A play-action offense would open more opportunities for Fields in the middle of the defense, creating additional opportunities for Chicago’s wide receivers.

3) Is Nick Foles more valuable than we all think?

It is a fair question to ask, especially since Foles won just two games in seven starts last season but has been labeled as an incredibly smart player who knows Chicago’s coaching staff and offense. Foles won’t receive any meaningful playing time in 2021 but he can serve as a mentor for Fields to speed up the 11th overall picks development.

Foles’ magical Super Bowl run should also serve as a reminder that any NFL quarterback can get hot at any time, especially in big moments. Fields has had his fair share of big moments at Ohio State but Foles’ presence will instill confidence in a young quarterback who’s willing to do anything needed to succeed, especially since Foles will serve as a sounding board in 2021.

Dear Ryan Pace: Please, bring back Allen Robinson

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Allen Robinson, New York Giants

At the beginning of the off-season, many wondered if Chicago Bears superstar wide receiver Allen Robinson would be suiting up for the team again in the 2021 season. Ultimately, Allen Robinson signed a franchise tag tender worth $18m, keeping him in Chicago for one more year to many fans’ surprises. So the question was no longer will Robinson stay in 2021, but will a contract be negotiated for the 2022 season?

The deadline to negotiate a contract from a franchise tender is July 15th. As of writing, it is July 5th. That means the Chicago Bears only have 10 days to negotiate new terms with the best wide receiver and offensive talent on their roster.

Is there any hope?

Honestly, not a whole lot. The Bear’s front office has been tranquil when asked about negotiations, and Allen Robinson hasn’t indicated that things are going over smoothly. When asked on an episode of NFL Total Access on Wednesday, Robinson stated, “We’ll see.” Not exactly what Bears fans had hoped to hear.

It’s not all bad

Robinson has numerously reiterated his commitment to the team and this season. Continuing in his talk with NFL Total Access, Robinson reaffirmed his commitment to the 2021 season, “How can I help put this team, how can I help put this offense in a better situation than we were in last year?”

Robinson will certainly assist the offense in reaching new heights. His talent is noteworthy. PFF ranked Robinson the 4th best receiver in the NFL heading into the 2021 season. However, it is crucial to note he has achieved this level of play with inconsistent and bottom-tier quarterback play. Insert Justin Fields.

The Bears must retain Allen Robinson.

With Fields in town, the Bears need to find a way to keep Robinson. The cap situation is unforgiving, and the organization was forced to release their pro-bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller in March. Regardless of how painful it may be, successful teams in today’s league have a dynamic duo between mobile big arm quarterbacks and incredibly athletic wideouts. I commented on this earlier last month. It would be a waste to bring in Justin Fields, pair him with Allen Robinson for a year, and then toss Robinson to the curb.

So please, Ryan Pace. Bring A-Rob back. We need him. Justin Fields needs him.

Making sense of PFF’s ranking of the Chicago Bears roster

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bears, matt nagy

If you’ve been in tune with what’s going on with the Chicago Bears this offseason, much of the talk revolves around new quarterback Justin Fields, the decision to release CB Kyle Fuller, and whether or not the Bears defense can play at a high level heading into 2021 with edge rusher Khalil Mack leading the way.

Pro Football Focus released their annual roster rankings ahead of training camp and Chicago was ranked 23rd overall, ahead of teams such as Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders. Chicago was also the third-ranked team in the NFC North. The Bears’ division rivals were ranked as follows: Green Bay Packers (sixth overall), Minnesota Vikings (ninth overall), and Detroit Lions (31st overall).

Three factors are analyzed for all 32 NFL franchises throughout the article: Biggest strength, biggest weakness, and X-factor. In Chicago’s context, biggest strength was Khalil Mack, biggest weakness was the decision to move on from Fuller, and x-factor was Fields.

Let’s breakdown whether or not each of the three points listed above in the article were accurate or not.

Biggest strength

Earlier this offseason, Bears GM Ryan Pace alluded to how Chicago’s strength on the roster is the defense. However, keep in mind this was before the release of Fuller. Mack is still a force to be dealt with, despite his stats over the last two seasons not reflecting how much of an impact he’s really had.

Besides just Mack, Chicago’s front seven is still a force to be dealt with. Returning in 2021 are names like Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Eddie Goldman, and Bilal Nichols, giving Chicago an opportunity to terrorize quarterbacks. Overall, PFF isn’t necessarily wrong when naming Mack a strength, however, it’s hard to ignore the rest of the Bears front seven when discussing what the biggest strength on the roster is.

Biggest weakness

Despite not directly stating that CB was a weakness for the Bears, the article implies that CB is a weakness. This is accurate. Chicago did rely on Fuller, a two-time Pro Bowler to hold the fort down, despite drafting a CB in round six for three consecutive years (Duke Shelley, 2019), Kindle Vildor (2020), and Thomas Graham Jr., (2021).

The presumptive starter opposite 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson is expected to be veteran Desmond Trufant, who started six games for the Lions in 2020. Chicago must also figure out who the starting slot CB will be, with the franchise releasing veteran CB Buster Skrine this offseason.

X Factor

Fields was labeled as the x-factor for the Bears, however, the Bears should be focused on Fields development rather than winning games. Another x-factor to consider would be Chicago’s offensive line, which has been inconsistent over the last two seasons. Chicago made overhauling the offensive line a priority by drafting Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom, while retaining Germain Ifedi, and adding Elijah Wilkinson via free agency.

If Chicago’s offensive line plays well, there is a legitimate case to be made for running back David Montgomery to have 2000 yards from scrimmage and more consistent quarterback play from Fields and veteran Andy Dalton which should lead to increased production from Chicago’s wide receiver duo of Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

Justin Fields-Allen Robinson will define Chicago Bears offense in 2021

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Entering 2021, there are multiple factors that will define the Chicago Bears season but the connection between wide receiver Allen Robinson and rookie quarterback Justin Fields will be a major storyline. As Fields enters his first season in Chicago, Robinson is entering year four, which could also be his last should the Bears not sign him to a contract extension.

Fields isn’t just a rookie quarterback for the Bears, he’s a major selling point. With his presence, the Bears could use him as part of a sales pitch to keep Robinson around should the Bears ever decide to reopen contract extension talks with Robinson’s party. When looking at Fields development, Robinson plays a part too, giving the 11th overall pick a stable and consistent weapon during his rookie season.

From a production standpoint, Robinson has totaled 255 receptions for 3151 yards, and 17 touchdowns over the last three seasons. The eighth-year pro has also averaged 12.4 yards per reception since 2018, despite average quarterback play which many believe is hindering his ability to be among the game’s best receivers.

“From obviously watching the tape, you know, rather, you know how obviously how many yards and catches I had, you know, obviously there are some plays and some things that you want to get back,” Robinson said via the Bears official YouTube channel.

When Robinson mentions that there are plays he’d like to have back, he’s referring to missed reads that led to missed throws, which led to decreased production. The hope for Robinson is that more consistent quarterback play leads to an increase in production. This would mean Robinson earns a nice payday next offseason, with the hope that Fields is Robinson’s quarterback of the future.

The Bears know what they have in Robinson and the rapport that the star wide receiver develops with Fields could be a big indicator of what’s to come in Chicago throughout the 2021 season but also well beyond.

Justin Fields ready to prove himself once again for the Chicago Bears

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One storyline for the Chicago Bears throughout the offseason has been the status of quarterback Justin Fields. The 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has been the second quarterback on the team’s depth chart since being drafted, speculation about when Fields will start continues to arise.

For those who followed Fields throughout his college career, the Georgia native originally committed to the University of Georgia where he was a backup during his freshman year in 2018, before transferring to Ohio State for his 2019 season. Now in the NFL, Fields is once again tasked with sitting and learning behind veteran Andy Dalton to earn the starting job, something he’s had to do in the past.

“Just getting better everyday,” Fields said via the Bears official Youtube page. “I mean, I’ve been in a situation like this before and all I did was get better. I feel like if you can control what you can control and come to work everyday with a positive attitude and a want to get better then there’s no stopping you.”

Hard work, dedication, and commitment are three traits that Fields has continued to showcase throughout his college career and as a rookie in the NFL. Add in resiliency, something that was on display throughout the 2020 season for Ohio State, and its clear Fields is the perfect fit for a fanbase starving for a franchise quarterback.

“Great things don’t happen all at once. I’m just going to be patient,” Fields said. “I’ve been in this situation before where I’ve had to learn behind a guy, so this is nothing new for me. I’m just going to take it day by day, get better each and everyday. I’m going to trust coach Nagy and the whole coaching staff here to develop me and make me the best quarterback I can be.”

As Fields rookie season progresses, patience will be required from every side, from fans to coaches to the Bears front office. Fields’ past has shown that everytime he’s needed to prove himself, he’s done and proven himself at a high level, something that will be on display once again throughout 2021.

Did The Chicago Bears Create The NFL’s Newest Dynamic Duo?

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New York Giants, Sam Beal

It appeared that the Chicago Bears’ offense was destined to fail heading into the 2021 offseason. After abysmal showings in 2019 and 2020, there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. In April, there were questions on who would be Chicago’s QB1 entering 2021. Would Allen Robinson return for the 2021 season? Are the Bears adding depth at the wide receiver and tight end positions? What is going on doing with the offensive line?

Fortunately, we got answers to these questions. First, the Chicago Bears found a way to keep Allen Robinson around for the 2021 season by getting the talented wideout to sign his franchise tender, show up to training camp, and play an active role in the organization. Then in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bears added potential franchise quarterback Justin Fields, stud tackle Teven Jenkins, and a mountain of a guard in Larry Borom.

Considering Allen Robinson’s elite talents and a solid quarterback option in Chicago for the first time in well over 80 years, is the NFL about to be put on notice?

The NFL has a long history of dynamic duos between QBs and WRs. A quick history lesson will bring up parings such as Steve Young/Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman/Michael Irving, and Peyton Manning/Marvin Harrison. These duos broken defenses and electrified fanbases, picking up win after win on their ways to the Hall of Fame.

Allen Robinson and Justin Fields could be that next great QB-WR duo. Here’s why:

Allen Robinson is a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL, I’ve been saying it, and I’ll continue to say it. PFF is even willing to call him the 4th best WR in the NFL in their 2021 rankings. His stats speak for themself. He literally sits in the top 10 categories for every recorded metric, outside of touchdowns, by PFF in the 2020 NFL season. Unfortunately, Robinson isn’t as high profile as Julio Jones, Deandre Hopkins, or Davante Adams. His lack of profile stems from poor quarterback play throughout his entire NFL career.

Now, imagine with me what will happen when we pair Allen Robinson with the most accurate college quarterback ever recorded. I think we get a sweet symphony of offensive production that the Chicago Bears haven’t heard since the 1980s.

Don’t expect Justin Fields to run out in Week 1 and connect with Allen Robinson for astronomical numbers. I’m excited, but I understand the current QB situation in Chicago. It might be a while until we see Justin Fields and Allen Robinson connect for big plays. Furthermore, Robinson might not return to the Bears in 2022 if negotiations don’t produce a contract by July 17th.

Allen Robinson’s return to Halas Hall this offseason may indicate his belief that Justin Fields can spark this offense’s needs. The winds seem to be changing in Chicago. For the first time in my lifetime, I can look at the offense this team has built and be proud.

Do you think Allen Robinson and Justin Fields can be the next great QB/WR duo? Let me know in the comments section below.