Is it a wise choice for the Chicago Bears to bench certain starters against the Colts?
The Chicago Bears recently concluded consecutive joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, and head coach Matt Eberflus seemed satisfied with what he saw. He has now declared that quarterback Justin Fields and certain key starters will not be participating in the upcoming preseason game against the Colts on Saturday.
While it makes sense for established players like Yannick Ngakoue, Cole Kmet, and DJ Moore to sit out, as well as Braxton Jones, Kyler Gordon, Eddie Jackson, and Jaylon Johnson, there are other key players who should be getting some playtime. Justin Fields is a contentious case � while there's a risk of injury, he could benefit from the extra reps. It remains to be seen whether he'll play in the third preseason game.
Last season, Fields had a notable presence in both the first and second preseason games, throwing seven passes each time. His most significant playing time came in the third preseason game against the Browns, which fueled optimism for his performance in 2023. Fields has shown promise but still has room for improvement. If he's sitting out against the Colts, he should get some playtime against the Bills in the final preseason game.
Aside from Braxton Jones, the offensive line, including rookie Darnell Wright, should get at least one series. Wright had just seven snaps in the game against the Titans, and as an unproven rookie, he should see more playing time. Injury risks are always present, but especially for younger players, reps are crucial. Wright's limited action against the Titans showed promise.
To address whether the Chicago Bears are making a mistake in benching Justin Fields and select starters, it depends on who qualifies as a "select starter." Established veterans may not need to play, but first-year players and some second and third-year players should see some action.
| POLL | ||
18 AOUT | 29 ANSWERS Is it a wise choice for the Chicago Bears to bench certain starters against the Colts? Is it a wise choice for the Chicago Bears to bench certain starters against the Colts? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 55.2 % |
| No | 13 | 44.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
