The Chicago Bears traded as much as the No. 11 total decide within the 2021 NFL Draft to draft former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, however he could have to attend a bit earlier than he sees any on-field motion. The Bears additionally signed veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton in free company, and Chicago’s brass has maintained that he would be the one to guide the Bears offense onto the sector come Week 1.

Quotes and soundbites normally maintain little weight in comparison with the eye they’re given in Might and June, however the Bears not holding a quarterback competitors is one thing that they’ve been saying since handing of their draft card for Fields. In reality, throughout an look on The Chris Collinsworth Podcast that includes Richard Sherman, Bears head coach Matt Nagy mentioned there is not a state of affairs the place Fields can be beginning over Dalton for the season opener — barring damage after all.

“No,” mentioned Nagy. “I imply, Andy is our starter, and once more, I can not predict something. You know the way it goes, there’s so many issues that may occur between immediately and that Week 1, however Andy is our starter and Justin is our No. 2 and we’ll keep on with this plan. You at all times hope that nothing occurs to Andy so far as accidents or something like that and that is why I can not say 100%.

“Andy is the place we would like him to be, he is had a fantastic OTAs and we’re simply gonna proceed to construct with that.”

Dalton spent final season with the Dallas Cowboys, and ended up taking on because the starter as soon as Dak Prescott went down together with his ankle damage. In 11 video games performed with 9 begins in 2020, Dalton accomplished 64.9 p.c of his passes for two,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas posting a 4-5 report.

Fields was a two-time Huge Ten Offensive Participant of the 12 months in two seasons with the Buckeyes. He was a Heisman finalist in 2019, after which led Ohio State to the nationwide championship this previous season, the place they fell to Alabama. Whereas he has impressed some teammates together with his huge arm in OTAs, it seems to be like he must be affected person for his likelihood.