Bears Mailbag -- How Long Until Justin Fields Starts?

Maybe the shock and elation of April 29, 2021 has started to return to normal for Chicago Bears fans. Maybe it hasn’t. But what the Bears pulled off last weekend in the 2021 NFL Draft has significant implications (possibly great ones) for years to come.

Thread: Thoughts on the Bears' 2021 draft class after processing it over the weekend…

1. I've already shared what I want to see from Justin Fields' development. If he achieves that, the Bears have a 10-15 year window. Fields has world-beating potential.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 3, 2021

Justin Fields
Teven Jenkins
Larry Borom
Khalil Herbert
Dazz Newsome
Thomas Graham Jr.
Khyiris Tonga

That is a significant draft class. Of course, what has Chicago buzzing is their selection of their quarterback of the future in Fields. If he develops to match his elite athletic and physical abilities, the Bears could have a franchise QB unlike they’ve ever seen. But the real fun begins now.

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With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to all who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation. Also, follow our Bears podcast @clubdub_podcast, as we may feature some of your questions on our next episode!

Bears Mailbag

I have lots of questions to ask but I'll try to keep it to a couple.

How long do you think it'll take before Fields is QB1?
Who do you see as our starting O-line to begin the season?
Did we get another Darnell Mooney in Dazz Newsome?

I'll just go with these to start. 🐻⬇️

— Adam *Justin Fields SZN* Flood, Esq. (@AdamJFloodEsq) May 4, 2021

I legitimately think the Bears intend to follow the blueprint used in Kansas City in 2017. They intend to have Justin Fields sit on the bench (we’ll see for how long) and learn behind an established, veteran starter in Andy Dalton. Patrick Mahomes sat for 15 games and only started the 16th because the Chiefs’ playoff positioning was already set in stone. Maybe the Bears feel they can get away with sitting Fields for fewer games, maybe not. But the Bears will not rush this development — they will give him all the time that he needs. I don’t expect a Mike Glennon-Mitch Trubisky situation from 2017, mainly because Dalton is a legitimate NFL QB, whereas Glennon never was.
The OL is going to be an interesting puzzle. The Bears suddenly have significant depth, and they may still look to add a veteran LT to the mix (think Eric Fisher or Russell Okung). If I had to guess right now, following the release of Charles Leno Jr., I’d imagine the starting OL to be:LT Teven Jenkins
LG Cody Whitehair
C Sam Mustipher
RG James Daniels
RT Germain Ifedi

I’d imagine Larry Borom, Alex Bars and Elijah Wilkinson will be the main depth pieces.
Dazz Newsome is an incredibly underrated WR addition in this draft. When I watched tape of Sam Howell (who I believe to be, far and away, the best QB in the 2022 draft and one of the best prospects I’ve seen in a while), Newsome popped up repeatedly on tape. Dyami Brown was their main WR name, but Newsome kept getting targets, kept catching the ball, and kept running away from defenders with some impressive speed. I know he timed relatively slowly, but he does NOT play that slowly on tape. And he has return abilities, too. The Bears got themselves a steal near the end of Round 6.

Unless Andy Dalton totally bombs in camp (which I sincerely doubt), I expect Fields to ride the bench for at least half the season, probably longer.

The Bears want to be smart with Fields. I get the desire to see him play right away, but some time would benefit him.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 4, 2021

Correct, I expect them to battle it out at the returner spots.

I'd imagine Herbert wins the KR job and Newsome could take over PR from Cohen. The Bears might want to be more careful with Cohen following last year's ACL injury and their extension investment in him.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 4, 2021

Yes, getting out from Quinn's contract is easier next year. But if he does rebound, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears opted to keep him another year.

If I had to bet, I'd say Wims won't make the roster. Miller is iffy, but I'd rather have him back.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 5, 2021

The Bears are always looking for ways to improve their team, and may feel they can land an impactful OT in this late wave of free agency.

Keep an eye on Eric Fisher and/or Russell Okung.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 5, 2021

Dalton is not in the same league as Glennon/Sanchez. Dalton has been a legitimate NFL starting QB for a long time. These are not comparable situations.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 5, 2021

The Bears expect to compete in 2021, but with Justin Fields in the fold, I would say they are not under the gun from ownership. I'd imagine they've bought themselves through at least 2022.

They have to show sizable offensive improvement, though.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 5, 2021

Unless Dalton flames out terribly and Fields is rushed in and also looks bad, absolutely. I give them both at least through 2022.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 4, 2021

They will look to improve if they can. Remember, the circumstances surrounding this offseason are unprecedented with a drop in the salary cap.

The starting CBs will be Jaylon Johnson and Desmond Trufant.

There will likely be a nickelback competition in camp.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 5, 2021

I think he legitimately believes in the plan that worked in KC. According to reports, Patrick Mahomes needed less "study time" than he got, but they kept him on the bench anyway.

They won't rush Justin Fields because it's not the right thing to do. He should sit for a bit.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 4, 2021

No. Foles' money for 2021 is already guaranteed and the cap hit will be absorbed, so unless a team comes calling to trade draft capital for him, the Bears will hold on to Foles this season.

— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) May 4, 2021