Justin Fields to Start at QB for the Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Field in 2021
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Field in 2021. Photo by Mark Black/UPI/Shutterstock (12452019w)

The Chicago Bears no longer have quarterback controversy. The team head coach Matt Nagy told reporters on Wednesday that rookie Justin Fields will start at QB moving forward regardless of whether Week 1 starter Andy Dalton is healthy or not.

In previous weeks, Nagy repeatedly said that Dalton will return under center as soon as he recovers from the knee injury he suffered against the Cinncinati Bengals. But it appears that Fields’ performance against the Detroit Lions prompted Nagy to change course and hand over the offense to the Ohio State product.

“After this past weekend with Justin and the growth that we saw, the discussions that we had was to be able to go in this direction,” Nagy said. “It is a big decision, but we feel very good about it and are looking forward to it.”

Fields led Chicago to a 24-14 win against Detroit and had a solid game that saw him complete 64.7 percent of his passes and throw for 209 yards. This was a lot better outing than his Week 3 start against the Cleveland Browns, in which he managed just 68 passing yards and was sacked nine times.

“I think my teammates believe in me, so just grateful for the opportunity and just trying to get ready to work,” Fields said after hearing the news.

Nagy also confirmed that Dalton is healthy enough to serve as a backup in the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Veteran Nick Foles will remain the third-string QB.