Matt Nagy has made it clear every time he’s been asked. He isn’t thinking about his job security despite the Chicago Bears’ recent six-game slide. His focus was getting them back into the win column. Something he did with quite an exclamation point on Sunday, routing the Houston Texans 36-7. Yes, it was a bad opponent, but the Bears have underperformed against bad opponents before. It was a strong all-around game.

Was it enough to quiet the calls for his head? Sure, for a week anyway. Three games remain in the season. The Bears are still 6-7 after starting 5-1. That collapse won’t just vanish from memory. Not unless Nagy finds a way to get this team through the final stretch into the playoffs. That likely means winning out including huge games against Minnesota and Green Bay.

What people aren’t sure of is whether he can survive even if this doesn’t happen.

There is a lot of speculation from both local and national insiders that this has at least a decent chance of happening. Why. Partly the respect the McCaskey family has for him and also his contract. Nagy has two years left on his current deal. Firing him would force them to eat a lot of cash just so they can hire a replacement.

The head coach certainly hasn’t acted like somebody who knows he’s about to get fired. Maybe he’s good at hiding it or maybe he genuinely believes he’ll be back. So much so that he might be making plans for next offseason. According to a source, there is a belief that if Nagy avoids the ax next month he could make more changes to his coaching staff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoOPgmMSQqA&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Matt Nagy could shift his focus to the defense this time

The primary name in question would be defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. While the Bears defense hasn’t been among the worst in the NFL, there is an easy argument to make that this group has clearly underachieved. They are on track to finish with eight interceptions. Two fewer from last season. Eddie Jackson doesn’t have an interception this year. Robert Quinn has just one sack. It’s clear most players aren’t playing their best under him. His questionable scheming at times hasn’t helped either.

One of the reasons Nagy may eye such a move is the possibility of a rich market of possible replacements. Dan Quinn is already available. He was the mastermind behind the elite 2013 Seattle Seahawks defense that dominated all the way to the Super Bowl. James Bettcher will be available. He had some really good years in Arizona. There’s also a possibility Jim Schwartz is available if Philadelphia makes changes as well.

So options will be out there.

Matt Nagy has shown he has no fear about making sweeping changes when he feels they’re necessary. He purged most of his own offensive staff this past offseason. Mark Helfrich (offensive coordinator), Kevin Gilbride Jr. (tight ends), and Harry Hiestand (offensive line) were all dismissed. Now after a brutal stretch earlier this year the Bears are on track to finish somewhat improved from last season in both points scored and yards gained.

Maybe that is what will give the coach enough confidence to make more changes. Presuming he’s still around to make them after January 3rd.