Justin Fields or Andy Dalton

      "It looks it's quarterback time again in Chicago!"

      Those were the words that Adam Schefter exclaimed when the Bears traded with the New York Giants to move up in the first round of the NFL draft this past April.

     Those are also the words that send Bears fans' minds into a head-spinning flashback thinking of the team's history with quarterbacks.

     Those are the words that - when Roger Goodell and a guest picker made their way to the stage - unquestionably had Bears fans barely able to watch when it came time for the franchise to select its next signal caller.

    Those words elicited thoughts about past quarterbacks and how or why things did not work out. 

     Bears fans could not help but think of a history replete with Hall of Famers at just about all of the other positions. We also could not help but think of our far less than glamorous history at the most important position in all of sports. We could not help but revisit a history where either the wrong guy was in that spot or - and this really does apply to our two most recent full-time starting quarterbacks - the organization that showed that there was no legitimate plan for when their guy arrives on the Lakefront.

     Mitchell Trubisky, Nick Foles, Chase Daniel, Mike Glennon, Matt Barkley, Brian Hoyer, Jay Cutler, Jimmy Clausen, Josh McCown, Jason Campbell, Caleb Hanie, Todd Collins, Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Jonathan Quinn, Kordell Stewart, Chris Chandler, Jim Miller, Henry Burris, Shane Matthews, Cade McNown, Erik Kramer, Steve Stenstrom and Moses Moreno.

     All of the aforementioned people all have one thing in common: in my lifetime, they have all started at least one regular season game at quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

     I am 23.

     A lot of days, I feel old, but I am only 23 years old. Yet, all of these players have started at least one regular season game for my Bears.

     As a Bears fan, quarterback play often causes us a lot of Spain (without the "S").

     Alas, in most categories, the three greatest quarterbacks in Bears history are Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky and Sid Luckman.

     But the entire premise of the NFL draft is not to think of how things are or how they have been. Rather, it is a spectacle built entirely on speculation. We all come together for three magical days every spring and think about what could be.

     However, optimism can be tough to come by when selecting a quarterback has been bottled time and again.

     But then the pick was announced. Justin Fields, Ohio State.

     It felt different. Maybe, just maybe, the Bears have finally figured it out.

     I am not necessarily a believer in signs or omens. But the opening round of the draft took place on April 29th. On April 30th, a rainbow appeared over downtown Chicago.

    You cannot possibly make that up. 

    Who knows, the rainbow may have ended at Halas Hall. It would be fitting, since Justin Fields, the pot of gold for many Bears fans, arrived at the facility that day. Maybe a pot of gold truly was at the end of the rainbow.

     But before we get too carried away, we have to talk about the elephant in the room.

     What is the plan? You know, the plan to actually develop a quarterback? You know, the part that the Bears got completely wrong with Jay Cutler and Mitchell Trubisky? Yeah, that is still pretty important.

     But how fitting that in these strange times, something else that is relatively strange appears to be playing out. It actually appears as though the Bears have a plan in place.

     Earlier this offseason, the Bears completely baffled many by signing Andy Dalton in free agency to a one-year contract. Bears fans were not hesitant to show their dissent to the move, believing that Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback was a lateral move, at best. But while frustrations were being aired, the team remained mostly quiet - with the exception of one now notorious "QB1" social media post.

     The reason for the relative silence: the plan was only just beginning.

     Now, it all makes sense. Even though the plan has not been completed yet, it feels as though it is working to perfection. Sure, the Bears traded up in the first round. But Fields should not have been available at that point, anyway. Even though the Bears sent a package of picks away to the Giants, it still feels like this pick was a steal.

     Fields does not have to play right away. Andy Dalton has proven that he can win games as a starting quarterback in the NFL. But most Bears fans still clamor for Justin Fields to be named QB1.

     So, what is my opinion on the pending quarterback battle in Chicago? Let it play out.

     I like where the Bears are right now. Fields seems to be progressing well, but Dalton should be listed as the starter for now. However, I feel that it would be in Matt Nagy's best interest to leave it as an open job at the start of training camp.

     Let both Fields and Dalton have the opportunity to win the job. A battle-tested quarterback will be our best chance at the start of the seaso on Sunday Night Football in Los Angeles against an outstanding Rams team.

     For the long-term outlook for the Bears, I really do believe that they are in great situation. If Fields is not completely ready at the start of the season, then Andy Dalton, somebody who has won a lot of games in the National Football League can start and Fields can take his time and learn. If Fields is ready to go, then that is even better. At that point, the future will have come early at Soldier Field.

     From the quarterback situation, to the potential move out of Soldier Field to the new rumors regarding Bears ownership, one thing is abundantly clear: the winds of change are blowing in the Windy City. This year could be critical for the Chicago Bears in many different ways.