Hmmm, that's an interesting contradiction there. Dalton wasn't "promised the starting job" but he doesn't have to win it in camp either?
Don't get that at all. Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.
After thinking about this for a bit, the only answer I can come up with is that Dalton, being a veteran who has experience (and has worked in a number of NFL offenses) may be more ready for that first game than a rookie who is new to the NFL. Andy Dalton would be okay starting initially - he's better than Trubisky or Foles anyway. I know the popular fan view is to start Fields, the shiny new toy guy - immediately. But maybe it's better long-term to not do that. Better for the team and Fields.
Nagy must believe that Fields needs time. More time than just the summer to get up to speed running the offense as well as he needs to, to be the QB1. That's all I can think of, anyway. And I'd rather they err on the side of caution here. When Fields is ready then definitely trot him out there and let him be the QB1.
Thanks for posting that link. I read that full article, and also listened to Nagy in the podcast. Nagy was confusing... I mean I didn't understand exactly what he was saying. It sounded like Nagy coach-speak to me. But obviously there ARE scenarios where Fields would start. One is if Dalton would go down to injury in camp. If Fields is the #2 then of course he is the backup. And of course we all understand that if Fields blows the doors off of Dalton in camp, then he's going to start. Nagy just wasn't clear in the interview. He should have just done the Bill Belichick thing and told him everybody in camp is competing for a starting job (like Fields said weeks ago when questioned about starting).
Here's what Nagy said. LOL, what the heck does he mean here? A firm "no" with a "maybe" with a firm "Andy is our starter" statement. He sounded like old Lovie Smith there :-)
"Of course the big question posed with Matt Nagy, several times between this interview and his latest presser, was (paraphrased) if there is a chance Justin Fields could be the Bears’ week one starter at QB.
“No. I mean Andy is our starter. Again I can’t predict anything,” Nagy said. “You know how it goes. There’s so many things that can happen between today and Week 1. But Andy is our starter and Justin is our No. 2 and we’re going to stick to this plan.”
Sounds like Fields has been struggling getting the ball snap from under center and getting plays called. And needs to get used to what NFL open is compared to CF.
Jahns or Hoge reported that the rest of the dropped snap story wasn't told. Said once they switched centers there were no more dropped snaps. So sounded like a center issue not a QB issue. Didn't sound like the center was any if the three who have played center recently. (Whitehair, Daniels or Must....).
Sounds like Fields has been struggling getting the ball snap from under center and getting plays called. And needs to get used to what NFL open is compared to CF.
+1
As good as Fields seems to be as a newly drafted QB, I think we often forget that there is a huge learning curve for him this summer. While teams sometimes start their 1st round QB right away and it works out fine. Other times, not so much. I'm thankful we have Dalton right now so Nagy can do what's best for the team, and Fields, long-term. We've waited decades for a great QB here in Chicago. What does it hurt to take our time right now and give Fields every possible opportunity to be a success here?
But fans are always wanting instant gratification. I'm 100% okay with Dalton starting this season if Fields isn't ready.