One NFL analyst doesn't believe Matt Nagy wanted to draft Justin Fields
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields got the first start of his NFL career on Sunday. Unfortunately for Fields, he was sacked nine times and saw major struggles in the 26-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. After the former Ohio State star’s lackluster debut as a starting quarterback in the NFL, USA Today’s Doug Farrar said that he doesn’t believe that Bears head coach Matt Nagy ever wanted Fields as Chicago’s quarterback.
“I do not believe that Matt Nagy wanted Justin Fields to be his quarterback. Ever. From the start,” Farrar tweeted. “I don’t care what he says. Coaches will tell you what they really think of their players by how those players are deployed on the field.”
Fields completed just six of his 20 pass attempts for 68 yards in the loss. He also had 12 yards on three rushing attempts. On the season, Fields has completed 14 of his 35 passes for 138 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also has 46 yards and a touchdown rushing.
The Bears selected Fields out of Ohio State with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields got the start on Sunday due to an injury to starting quarterback Andy Dalton.
Fields will continue starting as Dalton recovers from his injury
Throughout the season, Nagy has maintained the mindset that Fields’ time will come, and that Dalton is the starting quarterback for the Bears when healthy. Sunday’s loss shows that the Bears have work to do all around the offense, not just at quarterback.
“Playing quarterback in the NFL, there’s so much that goes into that and so much different than you’d even see in the preseason – the weekly preparation, seeing NFL defenses in the regular season and all those things,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace said before the season. “I just think the more time he (Fields) has to learn that and observe that, the better off for him.”
While Fields obviously did not play well in his first NFL start, the Bears did not protect him either. Being sacked nine times in a single game is unheard of. Fields even had to have X-rays taken after the game on his throwing hand. He said after the game that the tests were precautionary.
Fields will look to improve upon his shaky first start moving forward. He was confident heading into his first start, so he will be looking to bounce back should he get the opportunity to start again.
“I think I’m ready,” Fields said prior to Sunday’s game. “I’ve been preparing for this moment a long time. My mindset doesn’t change. I’m still going to play football and prepare the best I can. Study, study, study and get more comfortable and more confident with the plays.”