WATCH: Justin Fields delivers completion, Dalton returns and throws interception
The Bears gave Justin Fields a play during their opening drive, before returning to Dalton who ended the drive with an interception in the endzone. After a big opening drive, Dalton’s pass was tipped in the red zone and intercepted.
Dalton and Fields trade snaps, Dalton intercepted
Fields saw playing action on the first drive for the Bears and completed his first career pass for eight yards. Following a drive marked by a big kickoff return and a 41-yard run by running back David Montgomery, the Bears threatened to score a touchdown early.
Dalton took back over on the drive and quickly threw an interception in the red zone to David Long Jr.
On his first two drives of the game, Dalton recorded four completions on seven attempts for 23 yards and an interception. Even with his first-drive interception, Chicago is not rushing Fields into action as they continued to let Dalton handle the offense.
Continued quarterback controversy in Chicago
Despite an impressive preseason debut, Fields was not chosen to start for the Bears for the first week of the 2021 season. During preseason, Fields completed 30 of his 49 passing attempts for 276 passing yards, while picking up three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 92 rushing yards on the ground.
The talk of the summer has been whether or not Justin Fields should start for the Chicago Bears. Bears general manager Ryan Pace joined the conversation prior to the Bears’ opening game against the Los Angeles Rams. Pace summed up the decision to keep Fields on the bench with one sentence.
“There’s no need to rush Justin,” Pace said.
Evidently, the Bears are going to take their time with Fields. However, if Andy Dalton isn’t getting the job done, the calls for Fields to be the starter will only continue to grow.
On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this article.