LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Since being drafted by the Bears in late April, rookie quarterback Justin Fields has carried himself like a veteran. From his coaches to his teammates, they've all taken notice.
Bears tight end Jimmy Graham was reminded of that Monday evening as the team had dinner inside Halas Hall. The 12-year veteran Graham had a matchup on linebacker Christian Jones during practice that morning, and Fields didn't target him. Graham mentioned it to coach Matt Nagy, who later detailed in the quarterbacks room how to take advantage of that matchup.
"Hey, man," Fields deadpanned to Graham. "When you're out there, you've got to get open."
Nagy watched as Fields walked away with a smile while Graham got a kick out of the rookie acting like a longtime veteran. But it certainly wasn't a surprise given what Fields has shown the Bears thus far.
During his first practice at rookie minicamp in early May, Fields corrected a receiver on a route. He arrived at training camp capable of envisioning a play in his head before stepping up to the line of scrimmage. After hearing boos directed at veteran starter Andy Dalton in the Bears' preseason loss to the Bills at Soldier Field on Saturday, Fields called such sentiment "disrespectful" and asked for fans to put their support behind all the team's quarterbacks -- not just himself.
Put simply, Fields has shown the preparation and poise needed to be a starting quarterback.
"We feel really good with where he’s at," Nagy said. "I would say for sure that for his level of where a lot of rookies are at this point in time, he passed that test."
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Nagy and the Bears are standing by their plan for Dalton to be the starter against the Los Angeles Rams in their regular-season opener on Sept. 12. As part of that plan, Fields will start Chicago's preseason finale at Tennessee on Saturday as Dalton rests.
But Fields has changed the dynamic of the quarterback situation. He has performed well enough and learned quickly enough for it to become a controversy and for him to merit strong consideration to be the starter.
The Bears named Fields their backup last spring, meaning he'll be active on game days and one play away from stepping onto the field. Now, it's just a matter of whether Dalton can hold him off.
"Whoever is going to be best for the Chicago Bears," Nagy said.
The case for Dalton is his veteran experience and how it could lead to a more cohesive offense with fewer growing pains. Now entering his 11th season, Dalton has the timing elements of this Bears offense mastered while Fields needs more snaps to reach that point.
Dalton joined the Bears in March understanding that his one-year deal was a reflection of his job security -- or a lack thereof. Then the Bears traded up to select Fields at No. 11 overall just more than a month later, and it was clear Dalton would be on borrowed time during his stint in Chicago.
"Justin is going to have his time and Justin is going to have a great career," Dalton said last week. "But right now, it's my time, so my focus is on being the best player I can be for this team and helping this team win."
Ultimately, winning is what would keep Dalton as the Bears' starter. Because the team already recognizes a rookie looking ready to lead forward.
Fields has put the pressure on Dalton to perform.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.