Insider Details How Far Ahead Justin Fields Is Of Trubisky In 2017

Can one really take much away from minicamp practices when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks? Yes and no. The reality is some players just perform better in games than on the practice field. At the same time, the majority tend to showcase their ability regardless of setting. If they're good, average, or bad in practice? Chances are they'll be the same in games. Could this be true of Justin Fields? The only way to know this is by examining what happened four years ago with Mitch Trubisky. What were his first impressions like in rookie minicamp? Chicago Bears insider Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago decided to explore this. While reluctant to take too much from what he found, it was impossible to ignore. Even from the very first snap Trubisky took, there were warning signs back in 2017.

"It only took one rep for Mitch Trubisky to botch a snap under center." That was literally the first sentence of my column following Trubisky’s first rookie minicamp practice. And it’s not like I was beating the kid up. If you read the whole column, I was making the point that it would be silly to overreact to his early struggles. "Day 1 went exactly as you’d expect … With zero pass rush and no pads on, Trubisky lived up to the scouting report. His footwork was good, his accuracy was on point and his lack of comfort under center was evident." And yet… "Let’s just hope no one was keeping stats Friday." You get the point. Snaps were fumbled. Balls hit the ground. At least one pass was intercepted. It was a different experience than what we witnessed with Fields last weekend.

Accounts of Fields are that he was in total control all weekend.

Most passes were on target and he never once had a problem taking snaps under center. He even felt confident enough to take time correcting wide receivers when they ran the wrong route. The rookie never looked like he was a little overwhelmed by the situation he was in. Any mistakes he made were almost never repeated. It's early but as early tests go, he passed with flying colors. It offers proof that Fields isn't just all talk. He believes he's "built for this" as he put it. The calm execution in these first practices when nerves tend to be at their highest can tell a lot. That he was able to execute as if it were just another practice proves those words have weight behind them. Fields has total confidence in himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1709VLmsg

Justin Fields' next test is just ahead

It's one thing to look that smooth against fellow rookies and lower-tier veterans. A far bigger challenge awaits him at the start of June. That is when he'll start practicing with the veterans. He'll get his first real taste of the Bears defense. One can safely bet a number of them will delight in teaching the rookie a few lessons about how things are really done in the NFL. Let's see how he does with Khalil Mack bearing down on him. How he handles throwing at guys like Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson. If Justin Fields handles that the same way he did his first string of practices? Then the Bears will really start to know what they have. One thing is certain. Don't expect the young QB to flinch. He's stared down bigger moments in his football life. He'll show respect while simultaneously doing everything in his power to look like the best player on the field.

Exactly as the team hopes.

Training camp begins in late July and the preseason in August. Fans are dying to get their first real glimpse of Fields in action. Depending on how strong his play is by that point? He could change the Bears' plans before the season even begins. Wouldn't that be something?