The common wisdom going these days is a good NFL team can’t function without an offensive head coach. Think Andy Reid or Sean Payton or Sean McVay. That is how it’s supposed to be now because of the importance of the quarterback position. Here’s the problem. Of the 11 teams who hold a record of 8-4 or better so far in 2020, five of them have head coaches with defensive backgrounds. Maybe the Chicago Bears don’t need an offensive head coach. Just a good one. That is why Brandon Staley deserves consideration.
This is a name fans should be familiar with. He was the outside linebackers coach in Chicago from 2017 to 2018 before following Vic Fangio to Denver last year. From there he was quickly scooped up by McVay and the Los Angeles Rams to become their new defensive coordinator. Now he’s running the #1 defense in the NFL. Fresh off crushing a New England Patriots team 24-3 that put up 45 points the week before.
Staley has put on a show this season.
Enough to where his profile as a potential head coach is rising rapidly. As well it should. The man is fast earning a reputation for high intelligence, excellent tactical sense, motivational skills, and a fierce competitive streak. All great qualities. The lingering fear is he only has one season of coordinator experience. Except that isn’t exactly true.
Prior to his NFL jump in 2017, Staley was the defensive coordinator for four seasons at the college level for John Carroll University and James Madison. In 2016, his unit ranked third in the entire nation in total defense. Yes, it was a lower level of competition but considering what he’s doing in the pros right now? People can definitely call this a trend.
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Brandon Staley has been trained by some of the best
His defensive education too a huge step up with three years on the sideline with Vic Fangio. Easily one of the best defensive minds of this generation. Then he heads off to L.A. where he gets a chance to learn from McVay who has established himself as one of the best offensive minds in the business. This has shown him a good balance in how both sides approach games from week to week. It’s only a matter of whether the Bears are willing to take the risk.
They probably would fear going after a younger coach again. Matt Nagy had limited experience as a coordinator and it has shown way too often in Chicago. His leadership is there but head coaches are expected to also be masters of their side of the football. Nagy is anything but that, proving more and more to be a product of Andy Reid’s genius.
A fair concern, except there is a key difference.
Brandon Staley isn’t leaning on anybody in Los Angeles. McVay is an offensive guy. He gives full control of the defense to his defensive coordinator. So what people are seeing with the Rams is entirely Staley’s work. The fact he took a unit that ranked 13th last year to 1st this year is proof he knows what he’s doing. Just look at Leonard Floyd. He had three sacks all of last season in Chicago. He has eight so far in 2020 with three games left.
It’s not a matter of if Staley will be a head coach, but when. The Bears should seriously consider giving him that opportunity.
