Justin Fields handling Bears’ QB situation well
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields is under the microscope, but he’s handling the pressure well early on.
Justin Fields knows about doing things the right way.
After arriving to the University of Georgia in 2018 as a much-ballyhooed prospect, he sat behind Jake Fromm before transferring to Ohio State. With the Buckeyes, Fields started two seasons and threw for 5,373 yards with 63 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
The Georgia native was impressive enough over those two campaigns to be selected No. 11 overall by the Chicago Bears, but now he’s in another quarterback competition. This time, it’s with veteran Andy Dalton, entering his 11th season and first in the Windy City.
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While Fields could. have bristled when head coach Matt Nagy premature anointed Dalton as the starter earlier this month, the rookie took the opposite approach. In fact, he’s been complimentary and level-headed, showcasing a maturity that will serve him well throughout his career. Per ESPN:
“I’ve learned a lot of things [from Dalton]. I mean, he’s talked to me a lot. I actually went to dinner with him and his wife. Andy and Nick, they’ve been awesome, probably bigger than you guys even know. Andy has just completely taken me under his wing. Any question that I have for him, he’s going to answer, even when I’m throwing. I think there was one day after OTAs, I was throwing extra after practice and he stayed out there specifically to see maybe what I was doing wrong. He was just trying to help me out.
“I’ve been in a situation like this [entering the season as a backup] before, and all I did was get better. So I feel like you can control what you can control and come to work every day with a positive attitude and a want to get better, then there’s no stopping you. I think when that time comes, when I do get my opportunity, then I just would like to be ready for that moment.”
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Any Bears fans reading that quote should be thrilled. Only 22 years old, Fields is acting like a veteran who understands his place, all while knowing his future is ahead of him.
While starting Dalton over Fields makes little sense if the latter proves worthy of the starting spot come August, Chicago might decide to slow-play the situation. If so, Fields appears ready to accept his understudy role until eventually being called upon. Should that scenario play out, hopefully Fields and the Bears aren’t too far behind the proverbial 8-ball.
Over training camp, much can change. Regardless, it appears Fields is ready to embrace it.
