LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- For Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields, the proverbial "welcome to the NFL" moment is coming soon.
It might be a rush off the edge from star Khalil Mack that leaves Fields wondering how he got to the pocket so quickly or a cut in the secondary from safety Eddie Jackson as he jumps a route for an interception. Every rookie endures those eye-opening plays in which the professional size and speed come as a surprise.
The No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft in late April, Fields is days into his first NFL training camp. And while the fans on hand at Halas Hall are eager to see him thrive in practice, the Bears realize that mistakes can be just as important to handle.
The 22-year-old Fields is going to misidentify coverages, fumble snaps and throw interceptions. How he manages those mistakes and responds is part of the development process.
"He is a really confident kid, and that's what we love about him," Bears coach Matt Nagy said. "He also knows how to handle adversity the right way. He's shown that mentally and physically.
"He's a competitive kid. He wants to be great. He wants to do things the right way. That's what I love about him."
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During the Bears' lighter practice Wednesday afternoon, Fields threw multiple interceptions in a drill during which he wasn't allowed to throw check-down passes or scramble. In camp, the key for Fields is to understand the progressions of the play more than executing the perfect pass into coverage.
Thus far, the Bears have been impressed by how Fields handles everything thrown at him.
"He's gotten better every day," starting quarterback Andy Dalton said. "He's got the right mindset, right mentality."
Tight end U
After the Bears finished their offseason program in June, second-year tight end Cole Kmet wasn't done working.
Kmet traveled to Nashville in late June to attend the Tight End University camp, which is run by Chiefs star Travis Kelce and included other position mates such as George Kittle (49ers), Darren Waller (Raiders) and Noah Fant (Broncos).
In particular, Kmet took important advice from the six-time Pro Bowl tight end Kelce.
“Yeah, I think the big thing with Travis is don’t run the line in the book," Kmet said. "That’s a big deal with him. Stay on the quarterback’s timing and be where you have to be, but be creative with your routes just as long as you’re on that quarterback’s timing and you get in the right spot and you’re open.
"Everyone there was awesome. Being able to feed off one another was great. I got a lot out of it and definitely felt like I belonged there, for sure."
Kmet, 22, was invited through now-retired NFL tight end Greg Olsen. As a rookie in 2020, Kmet hauled in 28 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns. His role evolved late in the season, and he projects to play a more prominent part in Nagy's offense in 2021.
After missing Kmet last summer while the offseason program and portions of training camp were conducted virtually, Nagy can now build new routes for him within the Bears' offense.
Nagy was mum as to whether those routes resemble what Kelce does in the Chiefs' offense.
"You'll see him keep growing, and our relationship is building in the trust of how we work with each other," Nagy said.
Injury updates
-- After the Bears placed Jackson on the non-football injury list Wednesday evening with a hamstring issue, Nagy reiterated that it isn't a concern. Jackson has been present with the Bears but is focusing on getting healthy during practice.
-- Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks didn't practice Thursday morning. The team is expected to provide an update later in the day. Hicks practiced Wednesday afternoon.
-- Offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (hip flexor) and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins (back) were again sidelined from practice. Linebacker Robert Quinn (back) and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (toe) are still limited in their work.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.