DABEARSDABOMB

This - specifically your trade deadline. Either way - Fields was much sharper than any game all season. Was great to see!

This is good news - that said - I am still worried about how ready he will be after missing so much time, but I'd love to find out in 2nd half of this season if Bears somehow got some building blocks on that line.

At what point, if at all, would the Bears consider going back to Dalton? Feels like Fields is getting hit like crazy, unable to make the quick read, and while there are many reasons for it - performances like the Browns game and Bucs game are so bad that it is hard to generate any learning from those moments...in fact it can be the opposite, too much of this can break a player. I'm worried it is trending in that direction and I honestly think the Bears were right about fact that Fields should sit for a while. Yes, at some point he has to learn on the field, but it is pretty clear that there are certain skills that are lacking and the system has not been designed to help him. Unless we see major changes to offense to simplify and put Fields in position where he can get small wins and grow through those wins...vs. being left to dissect entire fields with a crap line as a rookie (both working against him) - It just seems like we are burrying the kid. I really hope we start to see some wins out of Fields, who I believe in, but I got to start seeing something and this team needs to start doing something different. It has to.

I still like Fields - but obviously I would have liked to thinks go better for him to start. I think he has the right attitude and intangibles. I agree with others that he doesn't look near as explosive as I expected (given his 40 speed) but I think that is because he is thinking too much out there. I also go back to this is not the right offense / set-up for a rookie QB, especially one with Fields skill sets and current limitations. Tony Romo was brutal in the 1st half re: what the Bears were doing with Fields and I think it is pretty clear to everyone how bad this offensive scheme is. This team is probably a 7/8/9th best team in NFC as I think the defense is actually pretty good (nothing they could have done on Sunday) and Dalton can make this offense look okay enough....but the whole point is this is an awful offense to actually develop anyone in and beyond that the skill position talent and oline remain weak. If you want to go all in on offense, than show it and start doing it. I don't know that getting rid of Nagy now vs. later changes anything unfortunately until the off-season, but it might. I also don't think Lazor is amazing and he is stuck inheriting what he has in terms of a really weak offensive scheme.

Not what I expected yesterday. I expected a loss - but I expected Fields to be able to make some splash plays. This was a lot more dissapointing than the Browns game...in many many ways. Not a good look for Fields...it looks like he needed a lot more time sitting and watching and right now we might be sending him to the wolves in a spot where he can't do anything right and is only burrying himself.

It will be pretty clear by the end of the year. Either Fields and offense is showing real progress and if they are -> I kind of think we'll have a decent record and be competing for a 7th seed with the arrow pointing up. If that is the case - he gets another year to show he can get the offense to next level. If that doesn't happen and team is a few games under .500 and offense ranks low and Fields looks like a rookie...I think the Bears pretty clearly have a new coach the following year. Final 6-8 games of the season are going to be really critical for Nagy.

I haven't noticed it and to be honest, if Fields had that vibe, that would be a major issue to me. He's a rookie -> respect your coach. I don't get that at all, but I do think he's comfortable to ask questions and be engaged in the play calling and the film review, etc, where as I think Trubisky didn't have that swagger to bounce back from issues (honestly - I think that was his biggest issue in CHicago), so he hung on every word from coach vs. having that dialogue with coaches - it really is important to have that 2 way conversation so things can be more tailored. I do think there is the element of Nagy as HC has a ton to be responsible for during the game.

I think this is just an old schtick. Nagy has the keys to the kingdom in his hand. Fields takes steps forward 2nd half of the year - he will be here. If he doesn't, he's gone. I'm not going to overanalyze as he is the head coach and will clearly know what plays are coming in or not, but its pretty clear at this point, Lazor is the man running and we can't just point fingers at Nagy everytime a series goes wrong...oh he must be calling plays again. No the bigger question is Nagy's scheme at this point...and I think it is ridiculously predictable...that said, I think we will have a pretty clear choice at the end of the season. Either arrow is pointing upward on Fields and if that happens we are probably right around .500 and potential 7 seed....or the offense is still struggling and Fields is looking like a rookie (doesn't mean Fields won't be the guy...more that he hasn't exploded onto the scene yet) and the Bears will head a new direction with the HC.

By the way - anyone frustrated with Fields...just watch the Jags where Lawrence has his own struggles he is going through. I'd say he is further ahead than Fields at this point, partially because he has a few more starts and partly because they are a worse team and they are opening the playbook up much faster. The one QB who has blown me away is Mac Jones. He has already shown me he is going to be a good QB. What I dont' know with Mac is whether he will be a great QB or not. But the way he throws guys open and reads defenses is super advance. We always knew he had that skillset the question was how the physical skills played into the equation. At this point, I have little doubt that Mac will be a solid QB -> from here it is will those traits be special enough to overcome some of those physical shortcomings. The inverse to that is -> I have seen Fields touch/ball placement - it can be special and I know his athleticism is incredible. Now can he overcome fact that he needs to get better at read/reacting to speed of NFL defenses (both in terms of not taking sacks, getting more quick hits out, etc) so that he can survive and I think he's already shown that and he's clearly high intellect...but his challenge will cause him to take a bit more time to come through because the speed of the NFL game is so much different vs. college. Bottom line -> I'm still buying very high on Fields and have really not seen anything right now that has me concerned, including just how he has responded to tough moments and adversity. Right now, while I know where his areas of growth need to come from, I haven't seen any fatal flaws to me that show he can't get to where he is good enough in those categories...where his pure athleticm and arm talent can more than overcompensate from being okay at some other categories.

So that is just not true. Fields int ratio is like 3% vs. Mitch's was 2.1% or so as a rookie. I could care less - none of that matters in the grand scheme. To me it will be how is Fields playing in the 2nd half of the year.

Ummm-Mitch threw 7 INT's in 12 games. That is actually pretty damn good for a rookie. His issue was more just 7 TD's in the same amount of games - albeit he was not really being asked to pass a ton either. I guess my point is - small sample size and not stat good but if you are implying Fields is way better than Mitch at throwing picks I'd tell you that wasn't really a huge issue in Mitch's game. If Mitch could just throw a better deep ball he would be in Chicago. Yes he had his other warts, but they would have been overcame with a better deep ball.

I agree he hasn't looked as explosive in the pocket - but I think this is more that he hasn't yet figured out when to tuck and run vs. when to make a play and that will come as he just gets more used to the speed of the game, etc. I have seen some moments where he looks super fast. I think the big thing with me that points the arrow up -> his attitude and work ethic & his ball placement on intermediate and deep balls combined with his pure athleticism. The obvious concern is whether he'll get rid of the ball fast enough and be able to take advantage of quick hitters, but i love his skill set for the long run, including his ability to mentally handle everything that comes up with being the QB. Right now I haven't seen much anything change my mind -> but my answer would change if we don't see some special halfs of games and some pretty material progress by the end of the year. No matter what - I think you need a full offseason after and see how year two works, etc, but I think this kid has a TON of moxie combined with a ton of tools and I think we'll start to see the game slow down (it already has a bit - but I think after another handful of games we'll see a pretty noticeable difference). I kind of think the Bucs game is going to be one where we see a few more big plays.

This - we are set to have a pretty fun 2nd half of the season. I'd say we are a few weeks away from that - but I am really excited to see what Fields and the team looks like in the 2nd half of the year. To me I want to see a special game or two out of Fields. That isn't to say a perfect game - but more a game where he is just consistently flashing. I think all great QB's do it at some point during their rookie year (even if not perfect - they'll have that game with a bunch of great plays and some stupid mixed in). I also am very curious to see how Pace handles the trade deadline as I think they have some veteran pieces they should be looking to move for draft picks. Robinson (or maybe in the offseason), Quinn, Mack (probably not until the offseason), Hicks, and one of Dalton/Foles are a few. I'm not expecting a massive package (unless you are talking Mack and/or Robinson) but you should be able to at least get some additional young picks that could be crucial (whether you use them or dangle some of them to move up in the draft and/or trade for other players in the off-season). I also think with Nagy - the decision will be pretty easy. If Bears are showing real progress in 2nd half of season - he stays and is on for next year. If not - new coach. Re: Pace, I would not do what I'm about to say - but I feel like the front office, unless Fields is an utter disaster this season, will allow Pace to hire a new coach this offseason if that is what Pace wants to do. The only way I see both Pace/Nagy out is if Fields is a total disaster - but I would actually be pretty shocked if that happened. Right now - I think it is 50/50 on Nagy being gone and 10/90 on Pace being gone.

HE is really really good. Sure tackler, strong defender. Biggest thing with him is he has to show an ability to stay on the field.

There were some bad plays from the line, but that was the big issue I saw from fields during preseason. He looks downfield and shows his arm talent (which is special). He also shows an ability to make plays with his legs. But he has to figure out how to take the easy plays and the gimme's too and really give himself a chance. He can't just sit back and hold the ball as long as he does. If he does that -> he will get killed and have a very short career. I see no reason he won't figure that out, but it is why I was always open to him getting a bit more time because he's got to make quicker decisions.

He had an awful penalty -> but outside of that he looked, dare I say it, good.

I would expect Bears would franchise him one more year and thus will have leverage to flip him for a 2nd rounder (worse case). I will say, my best case scenario was the Redskins or Dolphins, who both have great defenses, decide they need an upgrade at QB and Dalton plays himself into the point where you could get a pretty good pick for Andy. Its unfortunate Dalton went down cause he was looking really sharp yesterday and would have helped justify that business case. Than just move Foles in as the #2. I used to think Foles was the guy they would deal....but now I'm thinking Dalton could be the best case guy you eventually flip once you decide it is Fields turn. Note: I was thinking this before Dalton got hurt and before Heinecke had a really good game. On the flip side, Tua is banged up.

I said in the off-season, I would have started to blow things up and move anyone on the wrong side of 26 or so for picks. Eddie Jackson has no value at this point so he's a moot point, but i still think they totally whiffed on Fuller and could have gotten something if they hadn't put themselves in a corner. Hicks, similar, the Bears boxed themselves in and had no escape. I'm not saying they would have gotten a lot...but they would have got something. I also was on record of saying now was the time to deal Mack. THey need to shift and put investments in the offense/Fields and that starts by shifting where we spend the money and accumulating picks to retool both sides of the ball. Robinson is a really interesting guy to watch. If team is out of contention and far enough out...do the Bears move him for say a 2nd round pick? Could they get a 2nd round pick? I don't know...the 2nd round pick will likely not be as good as Arob, but you free up future cap space and probably can move him and Mack if you do this deal (since Arob would be cap savings that would allow you to absorb a Khalil Mack move).

I think the Bears are happy with the DB 2 and are looking for a nickel back. Callahan is solid in that role and I would be perfectly fine getting him -> but I'm not giving up anything more than a swap of picks (meaning we just flip picks and get Bryce).

Arob will never be that wide open. His seperation statistically are below average across the league. He relies on his fantastic technique to put up the numbers he does. He really is an outlier in the sense that physically he shouldn't be this good...but his pure fundamentals are just stellar and help him be better than his physical gifts say he should be. Mooney on the other hand - clearly has elite separation skills and seems to have solid hands, that said, he's a bit smaller than you would prefer but he is a legit #2 and could clearly breakout. I just don't think Byrd/Goodwin are anything to write home about. In New England someone had to catch something on that turd WR corps. It was literally like the worst in the league. It is kind of like on a horrific NBA team someone still has to score...doesn't make em any good. The comparison to Miller/Wims/Ridley doesn't mean much to me cause those 3 sucked too....with only one of them having some form of talent. That said - Byrd can fly and has put up good seperation...so he could be an under the radar type player. I don't recall him at all in any of the preseason games, but maybe I missed it and he didn't play?

Byrd and Goodwin are not very good - so I think there are quite a few teams who have better top 4's. Outside of when Bears had Alshon, Bmarsh and Marty B - almost every other time Bears fans dramatically overmake their offense skill position players. I would say the same right now. Goodwin is a nice 4th wideout - nothing more and Byrd is young and I will at least say last season was somewhat promising in New England - but Pats just spend how much money on skill position players and they let Byrd walk......hmmm...doesn't make me think he is that good. I like Mooney a lot - but I'm not ready to proclaim him a stud - but I do think he has the ability to be one.

He couldn't get open, couldn't make enough plays, and got called for too many penalties.

As long as it isn't long term, it sucks, but its football and we move on and hopefully get a shot to see what he can do at some point this year and he can build in and still become the player they think they are in the long run.

Really glad BOrom is back. I hope they found something in him.

If he holds out - I still franchise him - trade him for a pick - than redeploy the funds on another wideout/other team needs. I kind of think as Adam broke it down and you mentioned - the Bears are just more comfortable going year to year with him at this point vs. locking him up long-term. They prefer the flexibility. If we were talking about a franchise QB - I would disagree with that approach - but for a skill position player, especially one with more modest speed (who statistically from a pure seperation perspective ranked below average across the league over past 2 years - meaning - QB's have to thread the needle to hit him - to his credit though - he makes a ton of catches other wideouts don't in traffic) - I just don't love the bet long-term. It is hard for me to say the above - because I like Arob the player and person a lot. He's a total professional who does the little things and gets the most out of himself and is a well above average player. And - maybe he actually ages like a fine one - because he relies less on pure athleticism and more on skill/craft (which ages better). But I don't see WR prices steeply increasing over the next year - especially not after this past offseason where wideouts were getting much smaller contracts than expected.