A lot of people assume that Matt Nagy as head coach of the Chicago Bears for at least one more year in 2020. Here’s the thing though. Never assume anything in the NFL. Yes, Nagy was Coach of the Year and won the division in 2018, but a lot of his decisions and his ineffective offense are key reasons why the team has fallen to a disappointing 4-6 record this year. Marc Trestman traveled a similar path and he didn’t get a third year. Granted, his tenure was way more strewn with controversies but still.
If the Bears ownership decides they want a fresh start at the top with both GM and head coach, then it’s time to figure out who could take over that headset next year. By the look of things, there will be some interesting options available. Names with varying backgrounds and plenty of credibility. Not to mention some familiar faces as well. If nothing else, it will create plenty of offseason intrigue to chew on in the coming months.
Chicago Bears head coach options in 2020
Hottest names:
Greg Roman (OC, Baltimore Ravens)
This man deserves more respect than he’s gotten over the years. His offense has delivered a top 10 rushing attack every year. He’s also transformed several dual-threat quarterbacks into top NFL weapons. Colin Kaepernick went to the Super Bowl in 2012. Tyrod Taylor became a Pro Bowler in Buffalo. Now Lamar Jackson is streaking towards a possible MVP in Baltimore. Roman has proven he knows offense and has learned under some good head coaches too. He’s ready.
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Robert Saleh (DC, San Francisco 49ers)
Follow the track record of this man and he’s been tied to some great defenses. Saleh was a quality control coach for the famed 2013 Seahawks. Then he was the linebackers coach in Jacksonville as they began their own ascent into the top 10. Now he’s transformed the 49ers into the 2nd-ranked defense in the entire league. Saleh will be just 41-years old in 2020 and his education includes Super Bowl champion coaches like Gary Kubiak and Pete Carroll. His meteoric rise is hard to ignore.
Kellen Moore (OC, Dallas Cowboys)
Teams are always in search of that next great QB guru. The next Sean McVay. Plenty of eyes are on Kellen Moore right now thanks to the excellent work he’s done with Dak Prescott in 2019. Prescott is on pace to shatter his personal single-season yards and passing TD records and has a 104.1 passer rating on top of it. He’s playing like an MVP. Is it a coincidence that Moore’s promotion to offensive coordinator in Dallas coincides with this? The coach is just 30-years old. So he would be a considerable gamble.
Matt Eberflus (DC, Indianapolis Colts)
The Colts had the 30th ranked defense in the NFL at the end of 2017. When Eberflus took over the next season, they rocketed up to 11th. Since then they’ve consistently remained of the sturdiest defenses in the league. They play hard, they play fast, and they play smart. Given their general lack of superstar talent with the exception of Darius Leonard, this is an impressive feat. Eberflus has proven throughout his career that he has staying power. This often happens because you’re a good coach.
Lincoln Riley (HC, Oklahoma)
He’s been the hottest name in the college ranks for the past few years now. Riley is a top offensive mind who has produced points in bunches for the Sooners while also developing two eventual #1 overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Now he’s doing good work with Jalen Hurts as well. Thus far the NFL hasn’t lured him to the big leagues yet but many feel like it’s just a matter of time. If a team is looking for that young, charismatic coach who is an offensive wizard? This is the guy.
Matt Rhule (HC, Baylor)
A great way to determine whether a guy is a good coach or not is by seeing them enter a difficult situation and transform it into a good one. Matt Rhule has proven a master at this. At Temple he inherited a program coming off a 4-7 year in 2012. By 2015 and 2016 they went a combined 20-8 while reaching two-straight bowl games. Then for an encore, he took over a Baylor program riddled with NCAA sanctions and all sorts of controversies. Many thought it was toast. Within three years he has it 9-1 and challenging for a playoff spot. He’s just 44-years old too.
Second-chancers:
Mike McCarthy
The man tortured the Bears for several years and won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. His track record is long and respectable and he already has deep experience in the NFC North. He helped transform Aaron Rodgers into the great quarterback he is and has gotten top performances out of an aging Brett Favre too. If that weren’t enough, he even got six TD passes from Matt Flynn one time. He’s had a year off to rest and recharge. If the Bears want a guy with proven experience, they could do a lot worse.
Bears connections:
Jim Harbaugh (HC, Michigan)
Sometimes it takes a guy who knows the organization in order to bring it success. That is what happened with Mike Ditka back in the 1980s. Nobody considered him the best head coaching candidate when he was hired, but he was the perfect man for the Bears. Jim Harbaugh is a lot like Ditka. He’s tough, hard-nosed, relentless in his drive, and passionate. He was the quarterback for the team for a number of years and has never lost his love for the franchise. If he’s on the outs in Michigan, he could inject this team with a needed sense of attitude.
Dave Toub (STC, Kansas City Chiefs)
One man who has waited for his opportunity for a long time now. Toub has consistently been the best special teams coach in the NFL for a solid decade. There really isn’t much else he can do to prove he knows what he’s doing. Yeah, he hasn’t coached offense or defense, but he understands how to manage a depth chart and get the most from his players. Isn’t that what coaching is? Toub was with the Bears during their last period of sustained success. So he knows the blueprint it will take.
In-house:
Chuck Pagano
If the Bears wanted to keep the overhaul a little less severe, they could promote somebody from the staff. This is where Chuck Pagano’s presence is so interesting. He ran the show in Indianapolis for six seasons, during which he reached the playoffs three times and only had one losing season. This despite some atrocious drafting by then-GM Ryan Grigson. Pagano has made his share of mistakes but the guy has proven he can get a lot out of his roster even when it lacks overall talent.
