Bears Mailbag -- How Long Until Justin Fields Starts?

Maybe the shock and elation of April 29, 2021 has started to return to normal for Chicago Bears fans.  Maybe it hasn't.  But what the Bears pulled off last weekend in the 2021 NFL Draft has significant implications (possibly great ones) for years to come.

Justin Fields Teven Jenkins Larry Borom Khalil Herbert Dazz Newsome Thomas Graham Jr. Khyiris Tonga That is a significant draft class.  Of course, what has Chicago buzzing is their selection of their quarterback of the future in Fields.  If he develops to match his elite athletic and physical abilities, the Bears could have a franchise QB unlike they've ever seen.  But the real fun begins now. With that, let's reach into this week's Bears Mailbag.  Thanks to all who submitted questions.  Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.  Also, follow our Bears podcast @clubdub_podcast, as we may feature some of your questions on our next episode!

Bears Mailbag

• I legitimately think the Bears intend to follow the blueprint used in Kansas City in 2017.  They intend to have Justin Fields sit on the bench (we'll see for how long) and learn behind an established, veteran starter in Andy Dalton.  Patrick Mahomes sat for 15 games and only started the 16th because the Chiefs' playoff positioning was already set in stone.  Maybe the Bears feel they can get away with sitting Fields for fewer games, maybe not.  But the Bears will not rush this development -- they will give him all the time that he needs.  I don't expect a Mike Glennon-Mitch Trubisky situation from 2017, mainly because Dalton is a legitimate NFL QB, whereas Glennon never was.
• The OL is going to be an interesting puzzle.  The Bears suddenly have significant depth, and they may still look to add a veteran LT to the mix (think Eric Fisher or Russell Okung).  If I had to guess right now, following the release of Charles Leno Jr., I'd imagine the starting OL to be:LT Teven Jenkins LG Cody Whitehair C Sam Mustipher RG James Daniels RT Germain Ifedi I'd imagine Larry Borom, Alex Bars and Elijah Wilkinson will be the main depth pieces.
• Dazz Newsome is an incredibly underrated WR addition in this draft.  When I watched tape of Sam Howell (who I believe to be, far and away, the best QB in the 2022 draft and one of the best prospects I've seen in a while), Newsome popped up repeatedly on tape.  Dyami Brown was their main WR name, but Newsome kept getting targets, kept catching the ball, and kept running away from defenders with some impressive speed.  I know he timed relatively slowly, but he does NOT play that slowly on tape.  And he has return abilities, too.  The Bears got themselves a steal near the end of Round 6.