The Value of Justin Fields' Preseason Snaps

Some coaches don't like their quarterbacks in preseason games but the Bears will have Justin Fields starting and trying to make progress within Luke Getsy's offense.

While coaching in Green Bay, Luke Getsy rarely saw Aaron Rodgers on the field for preseason games.

For the second straight year, though, Justin Fields will be at quarterback at least for a little while in the Bears preseason opener with Tennessee and Getsy thinks no one should be surprised.

"Well, yeah, the biggest difference is you're talking about a guy that was in Year 17 or whatever the heck it was by then," Getsy said after Thursday's final practice before the preseason opener. "So I think this is just a much different situation."

It's a quarterback in his second year in the offense, third year overall.

Fields played three possessions of last year's preseason opener when the offense was just forming. The third drive carried over into the second quarter.

The Bears offense could use the practice together. In Wednesday's practice, rookie tackle Darnell Wright committed false start penalties twice and it was blamed by coach Matt Eberflus on the team working at using difference cadences to draw off opponents. Thursday's practice was shorter and started slower for the offense but they picked it up and will get their chance against the Titans to show the type of mix coaches hope to see for regular season.

"I think it kind of falls back into the chemistry thing, right?" Getsy said. "Getting that group, kind of for the first time. Having that experience for the first time.

"We just talked about Darnell (Wright). Just to put him in a uniform, get up, here the cadence, hear the huddle, call, cadence. All that stuff is invaluable, so let's go get a crack at it. It will be good to get things started out the right way."

Several offensive players unlikely to see action due to injuries include right guard starter Nate Davis and his backup, Lucas Patrick. Ja'Tyre Carter would continue working with the first team with neither available.

And wide receiver Chase Claypool is unlikely to be available after pulling himself out of Wednesday's practice. He had grabbed at a hamstring or back of his leg, but the Bears had no injury report on him to offer.

Claypool has repeatedly jawed with or even fought with Bears defensive backs over the last week, but Gersy has no problem with this type of behavior because it sharpens players.

"No that's awesome," he said. "I think the competitors that they are and the pride to want to go win, right? It doesn't matter. They are you teammate, but in the moment, they are your competitor.

"I love it. As long as we don't ever cross a line. Maybe we’ve crossed a line once, but I think we were able to get back from that and then continue it. I think all that's important if you want to play a certain way that we want to play the game. Got to have that edge to you."

Getsy thinks Fields could benefit as much or even more next week when the Bears go to Indianapolis to practice against the Colts twice before their Saturday night game.

"You're in a controlled environment, your quarterback is still wearing a different colored jersey, all that stuff," Getsy said. "But everything's happening faster and it's a different opponent, so you get to play the game speed.

"That's kind of the mindset and thought process for that."

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