Chicago Bears 2021 Season: Staff predictions, breakouts and more
Category Four: When does Justin Fields come in?
Halftime of week 1 (1) – Anish Puligilla
"Why Anish picked halftime of week 1: Matt Nagy has consistently maintained that while Justin Fields is ready to play, they still want to see Andy Dalton in the regular season. My guess is, by halftime of week one, Nagy (and the Bears defense!) will have seen enough. Picture this: the Bears trail 13-3 and the offense has only picked up two first downs. Nagy brings Fields in to spark the team and win or lose against LA, the Justin Fields era will have begun. – Anish"
Week 2 (1) – Jordan Campbell
"Why Jordan picked week 2: It’s clear that Justin Fields is everything we thought he was coming out of college. It’s clear that Justin Fields is the best quarterback on the Bears roster. Despite that, the Bears don’t want to break their promise to Andy Dalton. Dalton will start week 1, but Fields will be the starter by Week 2. – Jordan"
Week 4 (3) – Vinnie Parise, Ryan Taylor, Ryan Heckman
"Why Vinnie, Ryan Taylor, and Ryan Heckman picked week 4: The Bears will begin the year 1-2 going into their first divisional game with the Detroit Lions. This is where Justin Fields comes in. Dalton will get roughed up week 1, then bounce back a bit against Cincinatti. Week 3 against the Browns, Chicago will lose as the offense sputters. Week 4, it’s Justin time. – Ryan Heckman Justin Fields comes in week four. It’s no question that Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are standing their ground on starting Andy Dalton in week one. However, it’s important to remember the short leash the organization has given the filler quarterbacks they have started. Mike Glennon started four games before Mitch Trubisky came in. Trubisky played two games and three-quarters of game three before Nick Foles took his place. The leash is short, and I predict the record to be 1-2 after the first three games, which will cause Nagy and Pace to pull the plug on Dalton. – Ryan Taylor [Week 4] That is enough time for the coaching staff to decide Justin Fields is the QB who gives them the best chance to win. – Vinnie"