The Chicago Bears might be down to their backup quarterback now too. The Baltimore Ravens had to start Tyler Huntley today because Lamar Jackson is dealing with an illness (not COVID-19) that has kept him from practicing most days this week. He made the trip in hopes to be able to play, but they ruled him inactive prior to the start of the game. Now, Justin Fields might be going out of the game for good too.
Andy Dalton was seen warming up on the sideline and he is indeed going into the game. Justin Fields headed to the blue tent, which many were thinking it might be a concussion. However, Justin Fields walked into the locker room so we were all speculating. Reports are that Justin Fields is questionable with a rib injury.
#Bears QB Justin Fields is questionable to return with a rib injury.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 21, 2021
The good news for the Chicago Bears is that Andy Dalton is a well-established veteran. He came in and in two plays he was able to lead the Bears to a touchdown and put the team up by one. The first play Dalton held in the pocket and hit Jimmy Graham on a long crossing route for a first down. Then on a quick bubble screen, Darnell Mooney goes 60 yards for a touchdown to put the Bears up 7-6.
.@Darnell_M1 60 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!!! 🙌#BALvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/Vb1Jt6nlen
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 21, 2021
We need to calm down a bit though. I love Andy Dalton being the Chicago Bears’ backup compared to most teams. That said, Justin Fields is the future of this franchise and although Andy Dalton made this look easy, that 60-yard bubble screen was all blocking and Darnell Mooney, not Andy Dalton.
That said, I will give Dalton credit. He is going to be a solid option here because he is that experienced and proven. He knows how to hand in the pocket and he releases the football much quicker than Fields does at this point. That makes a big difference.
With Justin Fields going out hurt and the Chicago Bears playing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, it’s highly likely that if Fields is done today, he will probably be out versus the Lions on Thursday also. That’s less than five days away. Can Andy Dalton lead the Chicago Bears to two victories and keep Matt Nagy’s seat a little cooler?