Andy Dalton Or Justin Fields? Chicago Bears Set To Have QB Competition This Summer In Camp

The Chicago Bears will have a tough decision to make when it comes to who is going to be the starting quarterback for the squad this upcoming season.

Many have thought from the day the team signed former Bengals QB Andy Dalton he would be the man under center.

But then the team went out and snagged Ohio State QB Justin Fields in the last NFL Draft, adding more drama to who is going to be the leader under center when the team takes the field come September.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that there very well could be a QB battle featuring Fields and Dalton over the summer.

"This offseason the Bears assessed their situation and said, 'Look, we've been an 8-8 team, we just need an upgrade at quarterback that can get us closer to 10 wins.' They felt Andy Dalton did that. They said, 'Hey, we can win 10 games with this guy, he's a slight upgrade at the position.' But then they had the chance at Justin Fields, crazy athlete, great ability. They said, 'OK, this is the long-term play.'

"There's no question that Fields is the long-term QB answer for the Bears, but right now is the right decision to go to Dalton and make him 'the man' at QB for 2021?

"At least to start the year? It's the safe approach to go with Dalton, but doesn't mean the right one long term for the squad.

"Now, if Fields is just undeniable over the next three to four months in training camp, they're not going to just sit him just for fun or posterity just to play the veteran. So they're going to give him the best chance, but they're OK sitting Fields if Dalton has a good grasp on the job and they feel like they can win with him. So, they believe they're going to be better regardless. It just depends on whether Fields is ready Week 1."

Dalton was inked to a one-year deal back in March. Last season, the 33-year-old started nine games, playing in 14 for the Dallas Cowboys.

He threw 14 touchdowns and eight picks on the season.