The Chicago Bears were able to get to an even 1-1 record Sunday with a tight win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Joe Burrow gifted the Chicago defense with three interceptions in a game that saw Justin Fields enter in relief of an injured Andy Dalton.
For plenty of Bears fans the sight of Fields was a welcome one.
But he did not light the world on fire and it was the defense that brought it home for Chicago.
So if Dalton is injured, Fields is the starter, right?
Not so fast, as Dalton has apparently escaped any major injuries.
More on #Bears QB Andy Dalton: The initial exams did show no ACL tear and no damage to the MCL, source said. MRI today, but the early diagnosis of bone bruise would show he dodged major injury. That would be good news considering what it looked like at first glance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2021
A further report came out saying Dalton is the Week 3 starter in Cleveland if he remains healthy enough to go.
A Tough Environment
A healthy Dalton just has to be the starter against the Browns.
The game will be played in a brutal environment for a rookie, which Houston Texans rookie Davis Mills saw firsthand this past Sunday.
Fields is still going to get some time like he has the past two weeks, but Dalton is going to be out there to begin the game.
The Bears improving to 1-1 against the Bengals helps Matt Nagy hold off on being forced to panic to save his job.
And right now, he may see Dalton as the best chance to keep that job.
The veteran had a touchdown pass Sunday before leaving the game and is only a few years removed from being an above-average starter with the Bengals.
When Change Could Come
As previously mentioned, the Bears are on the road against the Browns in Week 3.
The stats won’t show it but Justin Fields is ready.
Give him all the reps in practice. Let him build connections with the first team. He’s gonna make mistakes. I mean look at Zach Wilson, he threw 4 picks today.
Also, Nagy has to give up play-calling. Let Bill Lazor takeover.
— Dave (@runbackdave) September 19, 2021
They will be major underdogs and a loss would not be some earth-shattering revelation.
But Week 4 sees a return home against the Detroit Lions.
Perhaps that game would be the one to slot in Fields as the starter if it truly is an inevitable move within the organization.
Nagy is never going to come out and say that he is waiting for the right time to insert Fields.
He is not going to throw Dalton under the bus like that and rightfully so.
But common sense may start to prevail and fans can figure out the likely plans based on how the veteran looks on a weekly basis.
Another losing season could doom both Nagy and GM Ryan Pace.
Making changes after the tough Browns game would be a logical move, barring Dalton actually going out there and taking home the win.
If he can do that, Bears fans may want to remain patient on calling for Fields.
NEXT: Matt Nagy Needs To Go With Justin Fields As Bears Starting QB
