Matt Nagy wants a franchise quarterback. So does Ryan Pace. So do the Chicago Bears. They’ve wanted one for many years. They drafted Mitch Trubisky in hopes of getting one. That hasn’t worked out. They traded for Nick Foles to add some competition in hopes that it might spark something for the position. Thus far it sounds like Nagy hasn’t gotten the results he wants. At least not yet.
After two years of trying to put his offense in the hands of the QB, it seems the head coach is finally realizing the truth. He can’t do that. Trubisky proved incapable of carrying the offense already last year. Foles has been really good at times but he’s also injury-prone and absorbs too many hits when asked to throw it a lot. So that leaves just one option.
Find a way to reignite the running game. This is why Juan Castillo was hired as offensive line coach. Nagy felt he’d bring a physical, grinding mentality to that group that seemed missing last season. A better running game would take the focus off the quarterbacks and ease the burden on the defense.
By the sound of things, the Bears are making notable strides in this area as training camp continues.
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Chicago Bears are always better when they run the ball
The reality is the Bears as a franchise have always been more old school offensively. They excel at playing smashmouth football. Run the ball 20-25 times a game, don’t turn it over, and play good defense. The formula has worked for them many times. Yet the realities of this modern NFL makes it to where quarterbacks rule the roost. It’s hard to win without them.
Problem is, not every team can have them. The Bears don’t. So the only way to make do with this reality is to run the ball. Chicago was among the worst in the league last year at this. It’s why they hired Castillo and added more beef up front with Germain Ifedi. They clearly intend to get north-south a lot more. David Montgomery arrived at training camp lighter and quicker. Tarik Cohen also seems motivated.
If those two can get some actual lanes, it’s a tandem that can do some serious damage. Hopefully Nagy sees this plan through to the end.
