Bears Are Starting Justin Fields Vs. Bills. Why It's Dangerous (And Smart)

Head coach Matt Eberflus discussed the plans for Saturday's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Based on the recent string of injuries, people weren't sure whether he would risk playing his starters. The answer finally arrived on Thursday. Starters would play a limited amount of the game, including quarterback Justin Fields. Eberflus believes it's crucial for his players to get at least some game action before the big confrontation with the Green Bay Packers in a couple of weeks.

Some people are skeptical of this idea. Yes, Fields needs more than three pass attempts to build chemistry with his receivers. The problem is his protection. Based on recent updates, it's likely three starters won't play. Teven Jenkins is out for weeks to come with two calf strains. Nate Davis still isn't practicing due to an undisclosed ailment. Now Darnell Wright is sidelined with an ankle issue. Throwing him out there against a Buffalo defensive front that had 35 sacks last season seems reckless.

However, this is also a good opportunity to evaluate Justin Fields.

One of the things Eberflus and the Bears coaches have wanted to see more of from the young quarterback is an ability to get the ball out on time. He had a bad tendency to hold it too long last year, leading to unnecessary scrambles or sacks. Protection won't always be perfect. Good quarterbacks are able to manage that issue by getting the ball out fast before the pressure sets in. If Fields exhibits a lot of his old habits in this game against the Bills, the Bears will have a good idea of where his development is at.

They never really tested him in his first outing against Tennessee two weeks ago. He threw three passes. All of them were on short drops that either went behind the line of scrimmage or a few yards past it. They need to see how he handles standing in the pocket and taking some shots at the intermediate and deep levels. Green Bay's talented front won't go easy on him on September 10th. Even if the Bears' offensive line is mostly healthy for that game, they're likely going to give up pressure.

Justin Fields must show if he's ready to handle it.