Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is fast becoming public enemy no. 1 in the Windy City as he continued to stand by his decision to name Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback in the Week 1 clash against the Los Angeles Rams instead of hotshot rookie Justin Fields.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Nagy reiterated this decision on Saturday afternoon, saying that the "Bears need to see Dalton in the regular season." That didn't sit well with Bears fans who voiced their displeasure of Dalton during Chicago's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills that same day.
Dalton struggles against the Bills amid boos from own fans
They booed the veteran quarterback from kick-off with the Soldier Field crowd shouting "We want Fields" the entire first half. It didn't help Dalton's cause that he played poorly against the Bills. He started the game with three three-and-outs and a possession that resulted in a fumble.
The Bills took full advantage of those miscues, recording four touchdown drives in the opening half as opposed to only one for the Bears. Dalton ended his two-quarter stint with 146 passing yards and one touchdown with one interception. Half of those yards, though, and the sole touchdown came via an incredible helmet catch by Rodney Adams.
WHAT A GRAB!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2021
Andy Dalton hits Rodney Adams for a 73-yard score ⚡️
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/7YXMG4VV8q
No wonder Bears fans were livid given that atrocious showing. Anger turned into a delight for the Chicago faithful when Justin Fields finally came off the bench and took over as the team's quarterback in the second half.
Fields failed to match the heights of his awesome preseason debut the previous week, but he still fared much better than Dalton in this contest. Fields went 9 of 19 on his passing attempts for 80 yards against the Bills. He also displayed his versatility, leading the Bears in rushing with 46 yards on four carries.
Related Article: Mac Jones Thrills in Preseason Debut for New England: Will He Be the Week 1 Starter for the Patriots?
Fields wants Bears fans to respect Dalton more
After the game, Fields was asked about the fans' treatment of Dalton during the game. Fields told reporters that he thinks it's disrespectful to Dalton that fans were cheering his name in the first half instead of the veteran QB. Fields said, "Just cheer him on, you know? My advice to them would be just cheer whoever's on the field."
Hear us out.... maybe Justin Fields should start....pic.twitter.com/c2zUntlPYS
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) August 21, 2021
Fields later added that the Bears "fans are awesome, but they have to realize that Andy is a human being too." Don't expect Bears fans to stop airing their frustrations even with Fields' plea and Nagy's firm stance that Dalton is the Week 1 starter.
This coming Saturday, the quarterback battle between Fields and Dalton resumes when the Bears face the Titans in their preseason finale. According to Nagy, Fields has not yet gotten some playing time with the Bears' starters, but that may change against Tennessee.
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