Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy doesn’t have many friends in Bears fans these days. Already reeling from two consecutive 8-8 seasons (though one resulted in a playoff appearance), he now finds himself receiving vitriol for the Andy Dalton-Justin Fields dilemma.
Thread: Some thoughts after re-watching Bills-Bears:
1a. A week after an OK pro debut, Justin Fields had a solid game. Victimized by drops and relentless pressure, Fields looked calm and poised. He made an in-game correction to the free blitzer situation. He showed growth.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 23, 2021
Fans have no idea why Nagy would start Dalton Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. To them, it’s simple — go with the superior physical talent. The more exciting QB. The guy you traded draft picks to move up for. The future.
The good news for Bears fans is they will see Justin Fields start the final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. It’ll be Fields’ first road game, and first start, in the NFL.
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Something to hold fans over…
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Thanks to all who submitted questions. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
Can you explain Nagy’s loyalty to Dalton and why he seems afraid to make this a QB competition?
— JT Barczak (@jtbarczak) August 24, 2021
I think Bears fans are misinterpreting this as loyalty to Dalton. It’s true the Bears may feel a tinge of obligation to Dalton after signing him with no idea they’d land Fields in the draft, but if you listen to what Nagy has been saying in his pressers recently, it’s evident the coaches feel that a) Fields is closing the gap, and b) they have not closed the door at all on starting Fields when they feel he is ready.
From most reports coming from the Bears beat in practices, Dalton has had the better camp, has shown excellent command of the offense and huddle, and has been making very good decisions. Is he the superior athlete or physical talent? Absolutely not. But he’s been everything the Bears have wanted him to be and has helped shorten Fields’ learning curve so far.
But that’s just it, they feel Fields is still on his learning curve and they want him to close a bit more before he’s ready to play. He is still learning to command the offense and the huddle. He is still working on pre-snap recognition, though Nagy said Fields’ post-snap recognition has improved.
There’s merit to thinking he won’t iron these issues out without playing and that rep opportunities dry up when regular season preparation starts, but the Bears have a plan in place to ensure Fields gets his turns to learn.
Keep in mind, the Bears obviously do not have a clean slate here. They have two obligations: 1) to develop Fields, and 2) they still have to win. I don’t think the Bears can afford to go 5-12 this season — Nagy needs to win and he *cannot* go back to Dalton after he inserts Fields.
He needs to be absolutely sure. The Bears don’t want a Tua-Fitz situation like 2020 in Miami. At least they learned a lesson there.
I get the angst and excitement for Fields to play. But Bears fans are treating Dalton like he’s Mike Glennon, and have since he was signed. It’s ludicrous and unintelligent. He won’t be anywhere near as bad. He’ll hold it over until Fields is ready, and when Fields is ready, he will play.
In 19’, Nagy famously said ”I’m not an idiot.” Clearly he thinks the rest of us are though, right?!? Does he think we forgot every quote he said about MT10’s progress?!? Why is he concerned about keeping his word?!? To a guy he didn’t even know 6 months ago!!
— Chad Beesley (@beesley_chad) August 24, 2021
I’m not sure why Bears fans think Nagy thinks they’re idiots, but I’m not sure what fans expected Nagy to say when Mitch Trubisky was playing poorly in Chicago? He wasn’t going to rip his QB to the media, especially one who seemed to unravel when things didn’t go well or accordingly to plan.
I also don’t think this is about keeping his word to Dalton (read above as to why). But keep in mind how the Bears treat veterans will affect their ability to sign future ones. It’s evident the Bears are paving the path to insert Fields when he’s ready based on what he has said at recent pressers (he is nowhere near as steadfast as he was during rookie minicamp). But he isn’t going to make the call to Fields until he’s sure he’s ready, because like I said above, they are not replicating a Miami situation. Once Fields is the guy, he’s the guy. There’s no going back. Nagy needs to ensure he’s ready.
There's never been any question about his physical talent. (And I think QBs like Trey Lance are less ready than Fields.)
I could go into a bunch of detail myself, but @ErikLambert1 did the hard part and laid it out in this story: https://t.co/pOA4CBuGwh
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
I think the Bears are better than a 5-12 team. I truly think they can win nine games if Andy Dalton starts the whole year (which I don't think will happen).
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 24, 2021
Schematically, don't be concerned. Sean Desai played vanilla quarters coverage the whole game (on purpose). They are trying to put absolutely nothing of value on tape.
However, I'd be concerned a bit about the tackling. That is scheme-independent and looked *bad* against BUF.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
Tom Savage was an awful NFL QB. Andy Dalton is a quintessentially average NFL QB. It's really not the same.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
It was looking like Kindle Vildor before the rough game against Buffalo.
I'd keep an eye on Artie Burns at this point. He played well on Saturday and got reps with the 1s today. I expect that to continue.
He's always had talent — injuries have just hurt his career.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
Not explicitly, but it appears more likely that Cohen starts the season on the PUP list and remains out through Week 6.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 24, 2021
The overall depth (the guys you'll see play in the preseason game in Nashville) is not good, but their 53-man roster WRs are absolutely solid.
Robinson
Mooney
Goodwin
Byrd
Newsome
WR6 (Adams?)That's a solid room.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 24, 2021
Strong depth in Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert. Tarik Cohen will eventually return.
Nagy will run a lot more in the regular season when they start actually game planning/scheming.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 24, 2021
It's a good question, but from a LT perspective, I think the Bears were left in shambles when Jenkins got hurt, Borom got concussed, and Wilkinson proved to be terrible at LT. They just needed more bodies.
They certainly value Bars' versatility, but they have stronger starters.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
I wouldn't be surprised to see Robinson in the slot a good bit — elite route runners in the slot are deadly (watch Davante Adams in GB, for example).
I expect Cohen to see time there once he returns, along with Goodwin/Byrd and Newsome.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
That's correct. But had the Bears released Pennel, he'd be eligible to sign with other teams — and the Bears may not want him on the open market due to competitive reasons.
The Bears *could* release him with an injury settlement if needed, though.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) August 25, 2021
