Matt Nagy has leaned on the credibility of 2018 for a long time. Such is what happens when that is the only winning season an organization has managed in eight years. However, signs continue to grow that people are tired of talking about it. They’ve expected more from the head coach since then. Much more. He hasn’t delivered. After back-to-back 8-8 seasons, the Chicago Bears are 3-4 with the NFL’s worst passing offense by a country mile. Count Matt Forte among those tired of watching it.
While many fans are quick to blame the struggling Justin Fields for the issues, the former Pro Bowl running back isn’t fooled. This is a problem that was present long before the rookie arrived in Chicago. Forte spoke on Twitter the Monday after the humiliating 38-3 loss to Tampa Bay. What he couldn’t understand is how the offense, despite its not inconsiderable talent, can always look so unprepared.
‘‘What upset me the most about the last two weeks is that our guys are very talented — again, we’re never really outmatched when it comes to talent. But they looked so unprepared and out-coached, it was embarrassing.’’
It’s a fair assessment.
Right now the Bears are on pace to score just 245 points this season. In 17 games. That would be in the territory of the 234 points scored by the 2004 team. A group that featured guys like Craig Krenzel, Jonathan Quinn, David Terrell, Bobby Wade, and Qasim Mitchell as starters. This offense is indeed considerably more talented than that group. For them to still somehow look as bad as back then is inexcusable.
Especially given the shift in rule changes that were meant to benefit the passing game. Fields needs to play better, sure. The problem is he’s getting no help. The scheme is bland and lacks flexibility. His offensive line constantly misses blocks and his receivers often run poor routes, fall down, drop balls, or don’t get open. Such problems aren’t about talent. They’re about discipline and execution. That falls on the head coach.
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damnit Justin stop holding onto the ball too long pic.twitter.com/jghpZ2RHGo
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 25, 2021
damn he just locks onto his receivers for so long pic.twitter.com/mkO2bMOr7i
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 25, 2021
Matt Forte joins a long line of former Bears trashing Nagy
Kyle Long and Olin Kreutz are just a few other examples. Nagy keeps saying the team has to find the “whys” of what is going on with this offense. Kreutz insisted the man look in a mirror. The truth is these issues didn’t suddenly pop up once Fields went under center. They were present long before that. As far back as 2019. Ever since that ugly opener against Green Bay where the Bears fell 10-3 at home, things have rarely clicked.
Nagy has had to give up play calling twice. That he’s given it up to Bill Lazor, a man whose own reputation isn’t exactly stellar, speaks to how ill-equipped this staff might be at doing the job that must be done. Matt Forte understands the reality. This offense may not have stars, but it has enough talent to play far better than it has. If Nagy can’t get it out of them, then the organization is duty-bound to find somebody who can.
Enough is enough.
The big fear among fans is that Nagy’s influence and overall ineptitude threaten to ruin Fields’ development. The quarterback has already taken 22 sacks this season. He too often gets tasked with making complicated reads rookies don’t usually get asked to make. Especially behind a line that can’t be trusted with protecting him. Can he survive 10 more games like this? All anybody can do is hope.