Training Camp Buzz: Bears HC Nagy 'impressed' with how rookie QB Justin Fields came back from OTAs

The 2021 regular season is just around the corner, andNFL Network has you covered with wall-to-wall training camp coverage each day starting at 1 p.m. ET. Follow along here for some of the best sights, sounds and moments from “Inside Training Camp Live” and around the NFL.

  • Bears head coach Matt Nagy spoke glowingly about the early progress of rookie quarterback Justin Fields at Bears training camp. “I was really impressed with how Justin came back from OTA’s, getting in and out of the huddle, you can tell he did his homework.” Nagy said about the No. 11 overall pick. Nagy said Fields is currently slated as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart in order to get him a “healthy amount” of preseason reps, but noted that newly signed QB Andy Dalton — the presumed starter for 2021 — will also get plenty of action in the preseason considering it’s his first season in the offense. The early reviews of Fields dominated the conversation during Nagy’s opening presser, and while he didn’t confirm or deny Fields’ chances of becoming a Week 1 starter, the fourth-year coach openly stated how important the rookie’s progress will be for Chicago: “Just like everybody else in this city, I want Justin Fields to be electric.”

Nagy, who will retake offensive play-calling duties this season, also said the idea of lead running back David Montgomery getting 20 carries a game this season is “very doable.” Montgomery is coming off his first 1,000-yard season in 2020, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and 71.3 yards per game on and average of 16.5 rushing attempts per game.

  • Already in midseason form, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to delve into specifics surrounding the off-field storylines involving cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver N’Keal Harry. “Not gonna talk about contracts and personal situations,” Belichick told reporters, via NFL Network’s Mike Giardi. Gilmore made his desire for a new contract abundantly clear once holding out of mandatory minicamp earlier this month while Harry formally requested a trade from the team. Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, did report to camp last week before being placed on the PUP list with the same quad injury that ended his 2020 season. Harry, a first-round pick in 2019, has always planned to report despite his trade request, but maintains his desire for a fresh start in 2021.
  • With the official arrival of Aaron Rodgers at training camp receiving all the buzz this morning, a former coach of the reigning MVP was happy to see the Packers QB return after all the offseason drama. “I think its great for him, I think its great for the club,” said current Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. “I’m very hopeful Aaron gets to finish his time up there, he’s done so many great things in his time up there.”
  • July 27 marks the highly anticipated date where 29 total teams begin training camp in unison, which is a first for the NFL. With the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicking off last week, all 32 teams are now in training camp mode. Here’s how team social media accounts are celebrating the occasion:

? Lambeau Field@AaronRodgers12 | #PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/iEy1Ar4rOw

????-?? ??? is underway? pic.twitter.com/sWDEFrOazB

Good morning. Let's go to work.@BigTicket73 pic.twitter.com/NMwIDtq0ud

VET REPORT DAY. WHO IS EXCITED FOR ?⁉️ pic.twitter.com/QVoVsxK3TW

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