OT: Bears Talk - Justin Fields era begins

[IliketheBullsNBearstoo]

I predict Nagy will get the itch earlier than he says he will and Fields will be scratching it before we know it. Easier to be patient at the beginning of your tenure than it is at the end.

[dice]

David Montgomery has been the most productive back from that draft class (based on AV from this link). So no, there aren't similar guys available every year, he has been the best from that crop and there's nobody drafted after him that I would take over him (Mattison/Pollard are the only ones worth mentioning but they're still well unproven compared to Monty). Beleaguering Pace for trading up to draft Montgomery is absurd.

PFF RB rankings from that draft heading into the season:

9 jacobs
13 montgomery
19 sanders
22 singletary

so yes, trading up to take montgomery one spot over singletary looks fine right now

The Bears were 8-8, 8-8 and 12-4 without a franchise QB

you left out 3-13, 5-11 and 6-10. you can reasonably throw out year 1 of an nfl GM's tenure, but not his first 3 years

and mitch's pro bowl season was easily the primary reason that the bears went 12-4. the offense improved by a whopping 9.8 points per game that season, the already young and good defense by only 2.3. the next season? offense regresses almost all the way back (minus 8.8 ppg), defense regresses slightly (0.9 ppg), and voila: back to 8-8

nagy gets credit for the 12-4, but because he traded up for a guy who DID happen to play like a franchise QB that season

and, of course, he did have the opportunity to stand pat or even trade down and take that franchise QB. he instead traded up for a guy who he thought was head and shoulders better. taken with one of the picks used to trade up? alvin kamara

the only move that is worth bellyaching about is Mitch over Watson/Mahomes.That same aggressiveness is what got us Fields so while it was a worthwhile discussion to talk about whether Pace deserves to keep his job - he kept it and IMO saved it by hitting a grand slam in Fields.

it's already a grand slam? he hasn't played a single meaningful game yet. even being a long-term franchise QB wouldn't make the deal a grand slam

Let's see what Jenkins looks like when he finally gets on the field. Let's see what Borom looks when he gets on the field. If one of them pans out, that would be huge, if both + JF1 pan out, that's a draft for the ages.

i'm sure that there have been many, many drafts where each of a GM's first 3 picks pans out

Do you know what "IMO" means? In my opinion, the Justin Fields pick was a grand slam - I'm extremely high on him (and have been since watching him beatdown the chosen one Trevor Lawrence in the Elite 11 camp).

If Fields pans out and reaches his potential, he'll be one of the most impactful players in the NFL in the most valuable position in all of sports- if Jenkins and Borom are starting level tackles, that would set the Bears up to having extreme value at 3 of the most expensive positions in the game. Considering where they were leading up to the draft, where they were drafting and Justin Fields' pedigree, that move trading up for him was one of the most franchise altering moves in recent memory.

if justin fields is a hall of famer, you will have been proven correct...and all the GMs that didn't even see him as a surefire franchise QB (every GM in the league save MAYBE ryan pace) will have been wrong. and it will indeed be franchise-altering. unlike the trade for khalil mack...which you also thought was franchise-altering

1) as mentioned, selecting a QB was a virtual necessity for ryan pace the further fields and mac brown fell outside of the top 5. just in order to give him a SHOT at saving his job. both because he was lucky to still have a job to begin with, and because absolutely nobody (not even you) was encouraged by the possibility of andy dalton saving the team's bacon this season. but here's the thing: EVEN if justin fields proves to be better than jay cutler for the next dozen years, ryan pace will again have squandered assets by trading up if mac jones ends up being at least as good as fields. because clearly, just as pace thought that trubisky was head-and-shoulders better than mahomes and watson, he felt that fields was head-and-shoulders better than a guy that the niners were rumored to be interested in taking over trey lance. apparently the niners GM thought that mac jones had a good chance to lead a contending team. and bill belichick feels the same way...just not enough to trade up for to ensure his services

2) any GM can just draft at the most important positions every year, cross his fingers and hope for that immediate impact. and perhaps more should pursue exactly that strategy. but you still have to pick the right guys. at this very early stage, we have little evidence that ryan pace has. we DO know that he has dealt away a lot of those opportunities. which is why he only had 3 cracks at round 1-5 talents this season rather than the usual 5. and it's a lot easier to go 3/5 on impact rookies than 3/3. gotta take as many of those swings as you reasonably can. ESPECIALLY if you think you're out-scouting the competition. the thought process of "we're gonna deal away picks and nail all the ones we keep" is ass-backwards, egomaniacal and foolhardy

3) if fields does indeed provide ultra-high value on a rookie deal for the next 5 years, what a colossal waste to not ensure his protection to allow him to thrive. to win the gamble on a rookie contract at QB and not capitalize because of losing low priced gambles on the O-line? yikes

[dice]

I predict Nagy will get the itch earlier than he says he will and Fields will be scratching it before we know it. Easier to be patient at the beginning of your tenure than it is at the end.

if the team starts 1-2 as expected and dalton is his usual competent-but-unspectacular self, failing because he's regularly running for his life, does anyone think that fields won't be starting week 4 at home vs. the putrid lions?

[CaPiTanAK]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

[Dresden]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

[Dresden]

Peronsally, I think Dalton will surprise people by playing better than expected. He alone won't be able to make up for the mediocrity of the Bears offense however.

[dice]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

[Chi town]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

Link? Haven’t seen anything saying they are sitting let alone a connection w a protest.

[Hold That]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

Not sure how credible the site is but I remember reading this.

https://heavy.com/sports/chicago-bears/khalil-mack-talk-matt-nagy-justin-fields/

[dice]

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

Not sure how credible the site is but I remember reading this.

https://heavy.com/sports/chicago-bears/khalil-mack-talk-matt-nagy-justin-fields/

it's apparently based completely on what former player/ESPN analyst jeff saturday is publicly advocating for. but the author saves that part for the end of the article to make it seem like she has some inside scoop up to that point. she even tries to trick the reader by comparing field's preseason quarterback RATING with dalton's preseason QBR

i don't know who beth mishler-elmore is, but she's clearly not a sports reporter

[dice]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

Link? Haven’t seen anything saying they are sitting let alone a connection w a protest.

as of yesterday:

Eddie Goldman, DL (Knee/ankle) - Doubtful
Khalil Mack, OLB (Groin) - Questionable
Robert Quinn, OLB (Back) - Questionable
Deon Bush, S (Shoulder) - Questionable
Eddie Jackson, S (Wrist) - Questionable
Darnell Mooney, WR (Back) - Questionable
Patrick Scales, LS (Ankle) - Questionable

all of the questionables practiced yesterday

[Chi town]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

Link? Haven’t seen anything saying they are sitting let alone a connection w a protest.

as of yesterday:

Eddie Goldman, DL (Knee/ankle) - Doubtful
Khalil Mack, OLB (Groin) - Questionable
Robert Quinn, OLB (Back) - Questionable
Deon Bush, S (Shoulder) - Questionable
Eddie Jackson, S (Wrist) - Questionable
Darnell Mooney, WR (Back) - Questionable
Patrick Scales, LS (Ankle) - Questionable

all of the questionables practiced yesterday

So Captain lied and fabricated complete BS.

[dice]

Link? Haven’t seen anything saying they are sitting let alone a connection w a protest.

as of yesterday:

Eddie Goldman, DL (Knee/ankle) - Doubtful
Khalil Mack, OLB (Groin) - Questionable
Robert Quinn, OLB (Back) - Questionable
Deon Bush, S (Shoulder) - Questionable
Eddie Jackson, S (Wrist) - Questionable
Darnell Mooney, WR (Back) - Questionable
Patrick Scales, LS (Ankle) - Questionable

all of the questionables practiced yesterday

So Captain lied and fabricated complete BS.

i wouldn't go that far...until tomorrow night

i have noticed that people who capitalize random letters in their usernames tend to post some pretty fantastical stuff. like that sandmirsk [?] guy who seems to have vanished after littering the board with inventions for weeks

[dice]

if nothing else, the bears will be appointment viewing for me this season thanks to justin fields being drafted! including every game that andy dalton starts. and regardless of whether fields sets the world on fire or not once he gets in there

[CaPiTanAK]

if nothing else, the bears will be appointment viewing for me this season thanks to justin fields being drafted! including every game that andy dalton starts. and regardless of whether fields sets the world on fire or not once he gets in there

AD as qB1 is free money to bet against the Bears 10/10.

[dice]

if nothing else, the bears will be appointment viewing for me this season thanks to justin fields being drafted! including every game that andy dalton starts. and regardless of whether fields sets the world on fire or not once he gets in there

AD as qB1 is free money to bet against the Bears 10/10.

week 2?

[Dresden]

Mooney, Mack, and Eddie Jackson are already protesting against Dalton as QB1 by sitting out this game with soft tissue injuries. I predict a 20+ blowout for the Rams. This stubbornness by Nagy has tremendous potential to blow up on his face.

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

I really do think it's that simple. Nagy wants W's. He has to do what is best for the team, not just one player. So he will play at QB whoever he thinks will give them a better chance to beat the Rams. I don't think the analysis in Nagy's mind goes any farther than that.

[dice]

If Nagy thought Fields would give them a better chance to win, he would be playing. Simple as that.

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

I really do think it's that simple. Nagy wants W's. He has to do what is best for the team, not just one player. So he will play at QB whoever he thinks will give them a better chance to beat the Rams. I don't think the analysis in Nagy's mind goes any farther than that.

i would assume that nagy was on board with ryan pace promising dalton the starting job prior to fields being drafted. psychologically that has to factor in. and supposedly from day 1 dalton has been getting the strong majority of first team reps in practice, basically ensuring the developmental process for fields that nagy has been publicly professing all along. it has never seemed like an open competition to see who could best help the team win in week 1. and surely nagy knows that this team has no shot of making any noise in the long term with dalton under center. particularly given the way the O-line has been shaping up. is dalton a sacrificial lamb for now? has nagy been promised another year if the team progresses as the season goes on but doesn't make the playoffs? if both are true, it makes sense that he would ease fields into things rather than risk disaster in the early going that he is unable to recover from

while nagy surely feels pressure to win every week, i don't think he's been given an ultimatum on this season either

[fleet]

The only ultimatum iirc was to fix the quarterback position. Dalton was never gonna be the solution to that mandate. Nagy may or may not think about things other than wins, but if Fields doesn’t play it puts both Pace and Nagy on the hotseat. Somethings gotta give

[Dresden]

he may think that dalton gives them a slightly better chance to win, but it's certainly not that simple

but the idea that all those guys are sitting in protest is a joke. there have been exactly zero reports of players being upset w/ nagy's decision. and it certainly makes no sense for the DEFENSE to be sabotaging its own hard-won reputation in passive-aggressive support of a rookie QB

I really do think it's that simple. Nagy wants W's. He has to do what is best for the team, not just one player. So he will play at QB whoever he thinks will give them a better chance to beat the Rams. I don't think the analysis in Nagy's mind goes any farther than that.

i would assume that nagy was on board with ryan pace promising dalton the starting job prior to fields being drafted. psychologically that has to factor in. and supposedly from day 1 dalton has been getting the strong majority of first team reps in practice, basically ensuring the developmental process for fields that nagy has been publicly professing all along. it has never seemed like an open competition to see who could best help the team win in week 1. and surely nagy knows that this team has no shot of making any noise in the long term with dalton under center. particularly given the way the O-line has been shaping up. is dalton a sacrificial lamb for now? has nagy been promised another year if the team progresses as the season goes on but doesn't make the playoffs? if both are true, it makes sense that he would ease fields into things rather than risk disaster in the early going that he is unable to recover from

while nagy surely feels pressure to win every week, i don't think he's been given an ultimatum on this season either

Wasn't that promise made before they drafted Fields? I don't think that would stop Nagy from going with Fields if he thought it was clear that he was the better QB. I think the bigger reasons are that Dalton just has so much more experience. He knows how to play the position in the nfl. He knows nfl defenses. He knows how to make adjustments, to make reads, etc. And from what I've read/heard, the players have confidence in him. I think for all these reasons, Dalton is the better choice to start the season, at least in Nagy's mind, and I think it's the correct decision.