The Chicago Bears believe they found exactly what they were looking for at head coach in Matt Nagy. Though just 39-years old, his wealth of experience both as a former player and assistant coach have provided him the tools to be the leader of men this team needs. Of course, though the primary reason he was hired was much simpler. They want him to be the guiding light for Mitch Trubisky on his ascent, hopefully, towards becoming a franchise quarterback. Alex Smith understands this well.
Expectations were low when he arrived with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2013. He’d had what amounted to one decent season as a pro at that point with the San Francisco 49ers. After that, he’d been benched in favor of Colin Kaepernick. There was a lot of proving to do. At the same time, he wasn’t the only one feeling that pressure. So was the man assigned to be his quarterbacks coach in Nagy.
Over the next five seasons, the two worked together to elevate their respective career. With Nagy’s help, Smith became a three-time Pro Bowler, helping the Chiefs to four playoff appearances. Nagy earned a promotion to offensive coordinator in 2016 and has since parlayed that into his head coaching job with Chicago. If anybody knows what the Bears are getting from him, it’s Smith.
Alex Smith believes Trubisky-Nagy combination will terrorize NFL
Now there is no question that Smith is biased in this regard. At the same time, he didn’t hesitate to gush about his time with Nagy and who the man is as a coach and person. In his mind, the idea of him and Trubisky pairing together means big trouble for opponents for years to come.
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“He and I spent five years together and we were about as close as it gets from a coach-and-player relationship,” said Smith, who remains under contract for one more year to the Chiefs and is the subject of trade speculation. “Lot of hours, countless hours, and to see him grow, not only as a quarterbacks coach and then go to coordinator and now I am pumped for him here as he becomes a head coach.
I think he is going to do awesome. He has the it deal. I don’t know how to say it, but he is so comfortable around the guys, so comfortable in front of the room. Leading guys, he is so real, honest and then very gifted from an X’s and O’s standpoint.
So sad to see him go from a personal perspective, but (I’m) pumped for him and his opportunities with Chicago and Trubisky. I think he is going to do a lot of fun stuff with (Trubisky).”
Smith went into even further detail shortly after
He wasn’t done though. Smith later appeared on Pardon My Take to talk about his recent trade to the Washington Redskins. Soon the conversation about Nagy came up and the 33-year old couldn’t hold back his comments about how poorly former offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains utilized Trubisky this season.
Now-former Chiefs QB Alex Smith to @BarstoolBigCat on @PardonMyTake about what Matt Nagy will bring to the Bears and Mitch Trubisky pic.twitter.com/ns8dj2Dji2
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 31, 2018
Smith also wasn’t the only former Nagy acquaintance singing his praises though. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who is scheduled to start the Super Bowl, remembers his time with him well from 2016. He had nothing but good things to say.
@ChicagoBears HC Matt Nagy worked w/#SuperBowl starting QB Nick Foles of #Eagles in 2012 rookie season & 2016 w/#chiefs. Per Foles: "Really smart coach. Very creative. Gets the most out of his players. The most important thing is he's an even better human being." @WBBMNewsradio
— Jeff Joniak (@JeffJoniak) January 30, 2018
Considering the accomplishments that Smith and Foles have had in the past couple years, it’s safe to say they might know what they’re talking about. This bodes well for the direction the Bears are headed, especially their young quarterback.
