Earlier this offseason, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy made it clear that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton would be the team’s starter heading into the 2021 season.
Nagy kept singing that tune even when rookie quarterback Justin Fields looked like he had what it took to be an NFL starter. Despite flashing during the preseason, Fields still seems destined for a backup role.
Matt Nagy isn’t the only one with that opinion. Bears general manager Ryan Pace made it clear the team likes what it has in Andy Dalton.
“We feel good about Andy [Dalton],” Pace told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
Ryan Pace: “We feel good about Andy [Dalton].”
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) September 1, 2021
So far this preseason, the Bears offense has struggled to move the ball with Dalton under center. While the team hasn’t been much better with Fields at quarterback, he at least offers the threat of running with the ball.
Despite the versatility Fields brings to the offense, Nagy and Pace appear fine with going into the season with Dalton under center. If Chicago struggles during the early portion of the season, though, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Nagy turn the keys over to his rookie quarterback.
The Bears open the season against the Los Angeles Rams – who owned the league’s No. 1 defense in 2020.
That game kicks off on Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on NBC.
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