Justin Fields named Chicago Bears' starting quarterback … but only for preseason finale vs. Titans; Andy Dalton remains regular-season starter

Chicago Bears fans, and I'm one of them, are screaming for Coach Matt Nagy to name rookie Justin Fields as the team's full-time starting quarterback, and Nagy will start the No. 11 overall pick out of Ohio State for the team's preseason finale at the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night. However, Nagy continues to make it clear that veteran Andy Dalton, who has done little in two preseason games, will start Week 1 of the regular season at the Los Angeles Rams.

Chicago is 1-1 in the preseason, rallying to beat Miami in Week 1 and then getting shellacked last week by Buffalo – both at home. Dalton has completed 13 of 21 for 164 yards, a TD and a pick in the two games, a rating of 82.2. His nine possessions have gone as following: five three-and-outs, two turnovers, one touchdown and one turnover on downs near midfield.

Fields has completed 23 of 39 for 222 yards with a TD and no picks, a rating of 83.5. Fields, though, brings a running element that Dalton doesn't with nine carries for 79 yards and a score. Dalton, who started the first two games, will not play Saturday.

During Monday's practice, Fields finally got reps with the starting wide receivers but still hasn't practiced with the first-team offensive line or against the starting defense. Presumably, that will happen at some point this week. Fields remains +550 at Caesars Sportsbook to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind only Trevor Lawrence (+300). 

Tennessee has looked very impressive in the preseason in winning games at Atlanta and Tampa Bay by a combined score of 57-6 – AFC teams are 27-4 straight-up and 26-5 against the spread vs NFC teams in this preseason. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill, two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry and top wideouts AJ Brown and Julio Jones have yet to play and probably won't Saturday – Brown and Jones are a bit banged up.

Arguably the biggest thing to watch Saturday for Titans fans is who wins the backup QB job between Matt Barkley, a former Bear, and Logan Woodside. By all accounts, it's pretty even. Tennessee may not have head coach Mike Vrabel after he announced Sunday that he tested positive for COVID. He can return with two negative tests in a 48-hour span or otherwise has to stay away for 10 days.

All of the Titans' coaches that are in contact with players have been vaccinated. The team should know by Wednesday whether Vrabel passed along COVID to any players or staffers.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: When will Justin Fields get his first NFL regular-season start (non-injury reasons)?

• Weeks 1-3: +400
• Weeks 4-6: Even
• Weeks 7-9: +250
• After Week 10 bye: +1500

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