It should be Justin Fields -- NOT Andy Dalton -- under center for the Bears in Week 1 ... so says Willie Gault, who tells TMZ Sports there's no point in delaying the rookie's debut.
Despite taking Fields with the #11 pick in the spring's NFL draft ... Chicago has seemed set on starting Dalton.
But, after two strong performances in Fields' first two preseason games with the team ... Gault is now calling for the former Ohio State star to just start right away.
"The coach is going to make that decision, but for me, let's go!