Chicago Bears: Who Should Start, Andy Dalton or Justin Fields

Now that the NFL season is actually fast approaching, there’s plenty of teams trying to stack together their next round of offseason moves. One of the most pressing issues comes out of the NFC where the Chicago Bears have to decide on a quarterback. On one hand, they need a veteran leader to keep them moving forward. On the other, they just drafted who they think will be their future and need to build around.

When it comes to veterans, Andy Dalton has a lot to offer. Dalton might have limited playoff experience, but he was a regular on the positive side of the win column. He’s fallen off the past few years and long gone are the days of his best work. He might not have his Aj Green or Tj Houshmandzadeh in Chicago, but he will have some talent. Not to mention, the Chicago Bears aren’t far removed from being playoff contenders. If the Bears need someone to bridge the gap to their future, Dalton can be their guy. Admittedly so, he might be on a very short leash.

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Then there’s Justin Fields. Not only did the Bears like him in the first round, but they also traded up to select him. Whenever a team gives up draft stock to select a player, they have to be sure that he’s their guy. Fields needs to come in and wow teammates and put on a clinic. While Dalton might be a placeholder, to give up any picks and not be able to beat an aging veteran coming off a losing season might be a red flag. While the Dallas Cowboys weren’t the best last season, Dalton had a lot of questionable plays last season as well. If Justin Fields comes in with even slightly above average confidence and capability he has to be their starting quarterback.

No matter what they do, the Chicago Bears need to understand it’s not just about the quarterback. This season isn’t just about who’s their play-caller under center. There are other guys who have been with this team and don’t deserve their careers to be derailed while the coaches figure out the quarterback situation. The Bears need someone to step up and be the clear favorite for the starting job. If not, it’s on the coaches to get them there that much quicker.