Getty QB Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during training camp at Halas Hall.
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields has been impressing fans and analysts alike since training camp began, but not everyone is on the Fields Train.
The Bears take on the Miami Dolphins in the first preseason game of the year on August 14, and Brian Flores and his squad came up to Halas Hall a few days early to squeeze some joint practices in. After the first day of practice, many writers in attendance covering both teams agreed that while Fields was off on some throws, his skill set was obvious, and he also had the throw of the day.
Early candidate for play of the day: Justin Fields moving left, throwing right, floating a dime to Jesper Horsted. Creative throw, basically flicking the ball from his right pocket.
Not everyone was impressed, however.
Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel tweeted a take on Fields and Dolphins second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa that got skewered by nearly everyone in attendance — particularly after Fields lit it up on the second day of practice.
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Fields Had Lights Out Day Thursday
Here’s the take Kelly had about Fields and Tua after watching them both for a limited time:
“I watched Justin Fields (and all the Bears QBs) practice yesterday and thought….thank God the Dolphins have Tua. He’s not perfect. He’s got issues. He’s going to struggle. But I’d rather work with what he has than all of Chicago’s QBs. Accuracy and anticipation!”
Bears fans and some media in attendance at the joint practice were quick to burn Kelly’s take to the ground:
My brother (a huge Dolphins fan) warned me about @OmarKelly begging for attention.
Quite literally the only reporter who attended practice yesterday who left with this assessment. 😂
@DadBodBrett @OmarKelly @CWilliamsNFL That’s the first bit of bad news I’ve heard regarding Fields. Strange…
Even some Dolphins beat writers apart from Kelly acknowledged Fields looked good:
I listened to the Miami Dolphins “Drive Time” Podcast with @WingfieldNFL.
Seeing as it is a Miami-centric podcast, Bears praise was minimal.
However, the host couldn’t help but praise Justin Fields. Even though it clearly made him uncomfortable.😂
I really like the way Justin Fields is getting the ball out there. He appears to be the real deal.
And when Fields flaunted his diverse skills at Thursday’s practice, the verdict was even more resounding:
Second day of the Bears-Dolphins joint practices is now over. I spent most of the day watching the Bears’ offense vs. the Dolphins’ defense. Just two thoughts:
1. Justin Fields was the best player on Field 3.
2. Andy Dalton’s struggles were real vs. the Dolphins’ starters.
Justin Fields was unstoppable in the red zone against the Dolphins today.
t.co/qSiAACYDbw
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Bears Reveal Preseason Plans for Fields
Bears head coach Matt Nagy told the media on August 12 what the team had planned for Fields this preseason: snaps, snaps and more snaps. “The No. 1 goal is to get him as many reps as we can. That’s Justin — get him as many reps as we can,” Nagy said, also revealing the advice he has given his rookie signal-caller.
“That hit he took in Clemson – don’t take those hits. Get out of bounds and that’s not just preseason that’s during the season, whenever you are in, you have to be smart, you know. … We had this conversation the other day. Be smart. Don’t get down too late. We want him to cut it loose but don’t take that extra hit. We’ll live to see another down. We don’t need you guys getting speared.”
One thing Nagy’s not worried about? The spotlight won’t be too blinding for Fields.
“There’s gonna be a lot of excitement out there for our team, for Justin when he goes out there. That’s his job. He’s been on a big stage before. So the beauty of that is that he knows how to handle that stuff. He’s also very mature and focused. And when you have that, he doesn’t let the moment — at least I don’t think so, I haven’t seen it — he doesn’t let a moment get too big for him. He’s very calm, very reserved.”
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Twitter Skewers Dolphins Beat Writer for Justin Fields-Tua Take