One thing about Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy? He always seems to have his finger on the pulse of his team. One of his big responsibilities is to recognize when certain players aren’t doing well and finding a way to motivate them towards performing better. His first big hurdle in that regard came after the third game of the season.
His young quarterback Mitch Trubisky was struggling. He had just two touchdown passes to three interceptions. People were starting to wonder if the kid could ever find a rhythm in the new and vastly more detailed Bears offense. Nagy reportedly sat him down and told him no matter what happens that he would be in his corner. Try to relax and just play.
In the three games since Trubisky has thrown 11 touchdowns to three interceptions. Safe to say Nagy’s tactic worked beautifully. Now another challenge is at hand. Another former 1st round pick can’t seem to find any sort of mojo through six games. After trying to let things be for a time, Nagy finally chose to act on the Leonard Floyd issue.
Matt Nagy talked to Floyd about his frustrating start to 2018
There is no story of this Bears team that is more confusing than the one facing their young outside linebacker. Many expected big things from him this season. Yet through six games, he hasn’t been able to collect a single sack, by far the worst start to his NFL career. It’s led to many people sounding the alarm, declaring him a busted draft pick.
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Nagy spoke to him multiple times this week, trying to get him to stop pressing so much. To just go out and play the way they know he can play. Play fast.
“Here’s a guy that, everyone puts the pressure on certain positions in regards to sacks, and you start pressing. When you press, you don’t get sacks. When you just let it loose and don’t press and cut it loose, then that’s when they come. And they normally come in bunches, too…
…I just want him to use what he’s done his whole career. Which is just getting after the quarterback in a fast manner, using his moves, his speed, his leverage. If he does that, the sacks will come.“
This is an important stretch of the season for Floyd. Khalil Mack is ailing with an injured ankle. They need somebody else to help pick up the slack in the pass rush. Floyd was expected to be that complimentary guy but thus far it hasn’t worked out so far. There’s also the added pressure of his rookie contract.
Floyd will enter the final year of his deal in 2019. If he doesn’t play well, it’s virtually certain the Bears won’t pick up the 5th year option on his contract or work to discuss an extension, leaving him in dubious territory. Either he plays well next year, or he becomes a free agent with limited prospects of landing a big second deal.
Add the injury setbacks praying on his mind to top it off? The kid has a lot to worry about. So Nagy is right. The key is to get him to stop worrying and just play. If and when he does that, things should start clicking.
