The Chicago Bears have maintained that they want to have a similar approach to starting Justin Fields as the Kansas City Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes. The reality is that they are not the Chiefs, and Andy Dalton is not Alex Smith. He did not have years and years with Matt Nagy like Smith did with Andy Reid.
While the Bears will be patient, and Andy Dalton will start week 1, the clock starts ticking the moment the ball is snapped on when Fields comes in. No one will remember that Fields did not start week one, but sooner much rather than later Fields is going to start in 2021.
The question is when? These are the most realistic scenarios that lead to Andy Dalton starting.
1. Week 2
Let’s face it, this almost feels like the most realistic option. The Matt Nagy era started with him coming out hot and seeing the Packers fire back at halftime for a comeback win. Could the Justin Fields era kick off with him running out of the locker room at halftime to save his team, similar to Aaron Rodgers years prior?
The Rams are going to be a tough defense, and the offensive line is going to struggle. Andy Dalton will get a few series to get things going. However, if things get out of hand, Matt Nagy is going to have to feel the pressure. He cannot let this game get completely out of hand. At the same time, once he brings Fields in, it will impossible to bring him back.
Andy Dalton will start week one, but Nagy has never guaranteed week two, and nor should he. This could be the time to make the switch.