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Chicago Bears Schedule Release: When will Justin Fields start?

By Jordan Campbell

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaves the field following the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaves the field following the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears, Justin Fields
Chicago Bears Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears have five primetime games during the 2021 NFL Regular Season and the first on the list is their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for Sunday Night Football.

The current plan is for Andy Dalton to be the Bears’ starting quarterback for the first game of the 2021 regular season. Dalton’s name is likely written in pencil as the Bears’ starting quarterback after the team selected Justin Fields with the 11th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Even after the selection of Fields, Bears’ head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace emphasized that Dalton would still be the Week 1 starting quarterback for the Bears. Nagy and Pace have stressed that the importance for Fields this season is his development and not how quickly he can be named the Bears’ starting quarterback.

But, let’s not forget the position that Nagy and Pace are in regarding their perspective jobs. After the 2020 season, the idea has been that both Nagy and Pace are on the hot seat. The selection of Fields may have lessened the burners for them but they still have yet to secure a playoff victory during their time with the team. Another season without a playoff victory could mean that both will be fired at the end of the 2021 season.

The Chicago Bears are ready for Justin Fields to be the best rookie QB they’ve ever had.

If the Bears indeed have to secure a playoff win in order for Pace and Nagy to keep their jobs, then it is pivotal they play the best player at each position.

From a skill-set perspective, there is already no question that Fields is more talented than Dalton at quarterback. Nagy and Pace bought some grace with their selection of Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, now they need to turn to Fields to save their jobs. That effort from Fields will begin with the Bears’ Week 1 game against the Rams.

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