The Chicago Bears were victorious in their first preseason game this season mostly due to the play of rookie quarterback, Justin Fields. Too bad preseason victories mean very little in the grand scheme of things. A team could go undefeated in the preseason and still not make the playoffs. Instead, what we should be concerned about in the preseason are signs.
Signs that a player has taken a step forward and has proven he is worthy of a roster spot. Signs that one player deserves to start over another. Signs that a rookie has taken to the NFL without a problem and the speed of the game is not a problem for them. Unfortunately, we also need to look for negative signs too. Signs that an injury is not going to heal soon enough for a player to be effective. A sign that a player just does not have what it takes to make it in the NFL.
Justin Fields gave the Chicago Bears plenty of signs to start him now
These are the types of signs we should be looking for and although other Chicago Bears showed us signs on Saturday, Justin Fields had the most to show. Everything that I saw on Saturday versus the Miami Dolphins, Justin Fields showed us enough signs that Matt Nagy should feel forced to start Fields over Andy Dalton to start the season. Although Andy Dalton did not have as many opportunities to make plays as Fields did, the offense just looked smoother with Fields at the helm.
When it comes to the Chicago Bears’ decision regarding who to play at quarterback, I can understand the idea of choosing Dalton over Fields. Some could even justify it. However, based on what we saw on Saturday, a shift for Justin Fields to start needs to happen now, and here is why.