LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Walking around the sidelines of Bears training camp at Halas Hall, you notice there's a new most popular jersey among fans in attendance.
The No. 52 of star pass rusher Khalil Mack, the No. 12 of top receiver Allen Robinson and even the No. 54 of Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher are all outnumbered by the No. 1 of rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Before he has even thrown an NFL pass, Fields has the second-best-selling jersey in the sport, according to the league's official store.
It's not easy preaching patience for Fields, whom the Bears traded up to select No. 11 overall in the NFL Draft in late April. Chicago has long been desperate for a franchise quarterback. Even so, the Bears are giving veteran Andy Dalton all the first-team snaps while Fields develops behind him on the depth chart.
Looking past the hysteria surrounding Fields' arrival, it seems like the Bears have the right idea at quarterback. Here's a look at how the quarterback situation stands as we're a couple weeks into training camp.
Andy Dalton
Since breaking into the NFL as a rookie in 2014, Robinson has never caught a pass from a quarterback with the experience of Dalton, a 10-year veteran who has made 142 career starts.
That experience makes a difference, as Robinson has discovered in working with the 33-year-old Dalton early on in camp. It's what led the Bears to sign Dalton on a one-year, $10-million deal this offseason. He has a veteran savvy that creates opportunities for the offense.
"He's throwing us open, and things like that will allow for a lot of big plays this season as we're able to see things and adapt to different defenses," Robinson said.
"He's been able to put the ball in the window to pretty much just make the DB run."
Shop for the latest Bears team gear here
While Fields has been the center of attention at Bears training camp, Dalton hasn't been fazed. He has been impressive in his own right.
It's all about timing with Dalton, who works through his reads with comfort on each dropback. Four months after arriving at Halas Hall, Dalton has a clear understanding of the offense -- of where the targets and defenders will be in coverage and when to strike. The tape from practice speaks for itself. Dalton is performing well.
Dalton's grasp of the offense goes beyond what's planned on each play. He has also adjusted routes with his targets and approached the coaching staff with ideas for alterations of plays.
"If you're willing to learn and willing to have discussions with guys like Andy Dalton, you can learn a lot about yourself as a coach," quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo said.
"I love hearing Andy's point of view, how he sees certain plays, how he sees certain coverages. Because you can learn a lot from guys like Andy."
The Bears haven't changed their stance on the starting quarterback position. Barring an injury, it will be Dalton opening the regular season on Sept. 12 as the starter, with Fields as the backup.
Justin Fields
Each pass Fields makes in practice is greeted with great anticipation from the fans filling the sidelines. They came to Halas Hall hoping to see the Bears' future at quarterback.
Bears coach Matt Nagy, general manager Ryan Pace and those overseeing the 22-year-old Fields' development recognize the energy surrounding him while they also stress patience that comes with the process.
At the least, Fields' arm talent and mobility are as advertised. He's impressing the Bears thus far, with Robinson saying he can "make every throw on the field."
"He wants to be great," tight end Jimmy Graham added. "He puts in the work. The guy really can throw the ball. That's been impressive, to see his arm strength. At some point, I got to get him matched up for the guy up there in Seattle. Especially the ability to make plays while you're running. It's been impressive to see him so young (and) so focused. I could tell it definitely reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson."
Of course, it takes more than raw talent to get by as a rookie in the NFL. It's why the Bears are biding their time with Fields' development.
Fields' abilities have shined, but there have also been reasons to have caution. He's a rookie quarterback who's learning the proper reads and timing within an offense that he's still soaking up. The speed of the NFL game is far beyond even the top level of college football.
Pass rushers come off the edge fast. Linebackers move into coverage with ease. Safeties know how to read a route and make a jump. Fields explained he's at a point in which he can envision a play in his head before he steps to the line of scrimmage. Now it's about consistently executing.
It's all normal for a rookie quarterback who's not even two weeks into his first training camp, and the Bears believe Fields will be ready in due time.
"Justin has shown a lot of advanced traits since he's been here," DeFilippo said. "And he's done a good job. Justin is very, very into football. He loves football. And that's the first thing you get with these young guys, is, 'Do they love football?' If they do, usually they can steady the boat on some rocky times and some good times. So, that's Justin's No. 1 trait as a quarterback, is, he loves football. And obviously working on the speed of the game and things will come. But I love where he's at right now."
Nick Foles
Sitting third on the depth chart is Foles, a 32-year-old former Super Bowl MVP entering his 10th NFL season. He played in nine games for the Bears in 2020, starting seven of them.
Foles has found peace with his role, but his competitive fire is still burning.
"I feel the strongest I've felt," Foles said. "I took something that could have defeated some people and made it a positive. Still here, still working."
The Bears have offered Foles the chance to provide input on a potential trade, but that process seems complicated both by his remaining contract ($17.3-million cap hit over the next two seasons) and his desire to be dealt somewhere he would have familiarity. Foles previously had the chance to be traded, but the opportunity "wasn't the right time or situation with what was going on in my life," he said. Presumably, the Jets were one of the possibilities.
Foles seems to want a chance with the Colts, who are without starting quarterback Carson Wentz indefinitely and perhaps several weeks into the regular season. Foles has comfort with Colts coach Frank Reich, with whom he worked when he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl LII championship in February 2018.
The problem is that the Colts are invested in molding Wentz back into the top-tier starter he previously was with the Eagles, and having Foles enter the fold wouldn't help Wentz's confidence.
It's more likely than not that Foles will play out 2021 as the Bears' third-string quarterback and not take a snap all season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
