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If you aren’t fired up as a Chicago Bears fan with all the positive buzz emanating from Halas Hall about rookie quarterback Justin Fields, then you’ve really got to be making an effort to stay salty. Fields hasn’t been flawless in camp, but he’s regularly making wow plays, and everyone that has reported on his performance believes he’s the real deal. That’s from the local beat guys, the national media, and even the fans that have been sharing their thoughts via social media.
From the moment he was a Bear, Fields has done everything you’d expect a franchise QB to do. He’s put in the work, he’s put in extra work, and he’s talked the talk. He’s displayed leadership skills, but he’s also accepting the mentorship from veterans Andy Dalton and Nick Foles.
On a recent Get Up segment on ESPN, NFL analyst Louis Riddick shared some stuff that he’s been hearing from the Bears about Fields.
.@LRiddickESPN says Justin Fields' training camp performance has the Chicago Bears "fricken' ecstatic."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 5, 2021
"We all know that there was a lot of B.S. circling around Justin Fields heading into the draft. ... From day one that he has gotten there, they could not be happier ..." pic.twitter.com/Kh2eqCaxUp
His relationship with Bears head coach Matt Nagy is well documented, so that’s his obvious source, but he’s likely hearing it from others inside Halas Hall as well.
Riddick talks glowingly about all the things Fields has shown the Bears so far, saying “that improvement that he’s (Fields) making every single day has them, I can tell you this, it has them fricken’ ecstatic.”
As fun as it has been for Bears fans watching the Fields situation develop, it’s also worth noting that the starting quarterback has had a damn good camp as well. Andy Dalton has a firm grasp of the offense and he’s been getting the ball to his receivers on time all camp long.
Fields will eventually take over as the starting quarterback for the Bears, but the best thing would be for it to happen organically. When it’s time, it’s time, and everyone will know it.
Let’s fire through a few training camp highlights from this morning’s practice courtesy of Twitter.
One thing that continues to stand out about Justin Fields here in Bears camp is his ability to change the velocity of his throws based on how the play unfolds and defense. Coaches talk about having different clubs to use. He has them. You see it all the time.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2021
Alec Ogletree just picked off Nick Foles and the takeaway bucket is out. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 5, 2021
A tradition unlike any other, a Justin Fields to Jesse James touchdown at Bears camp.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2021
Next series: What appeared to be a broken play turned into an end zone pick for Desmond Trufant and the. Xavier Crawford made a nice play to break up a throw for Damiere Byrd at the goalline.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2021
Andy Dalton with an anticipatory-throw to Marquise Goodwin for a touchdown. Dalton threw the pass as Goodwin was coming out of his break.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2021
Dalton finds Goodwin again wide open for a touchdown. Coverage breakdown on that play.
DHC with an impressive INT in the end zone on Andy Dalton. But Matt Nagy says the Defense jumped off sides. Defense sideline doesn’t agree. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 5, 2021
Justin Fields got the second-team Bears offense going with a long pass to Riley Ridley in between two defenders. He hit Ridley again before a “sack" stalled the drive. Backup kicker Brian Johnson missed his field goal.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2021
Rookie K Brian Johnson continues to excel with chances. Just sent. 60-yarder through the uprights.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2021
Justin Fields just connected with deep pass to WR Jon’Vea Johnson for a TD in 7 on 7 drills. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 5, 2021
Darnell Mooney just broke Deon Bush's ankles and was wide open for a touchdown. Throw by Andy Dalton. Mooney celebrated with a backflip afterwards. Just a nasty route by Mooney.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 5, 2021
#Bears just wrapped up an extended 7 on 7 red zone session. Lot of reps. Highlight throws:
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 5, 2021
Dalton to AR12 on outside with Trufant in tight coverage. Fields nice anticipation throw to Chris Lacy and a well-placed throw to Jester Weah in end zone.
Bojack getting some work in post practice. pic.twitter.com/YMNAzqeaOh
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) August 5, 2021