The situation with Matt Nagy is looking more desperate by the day. Already behind the 8-ball after a disappointing finish in 2020, many wanted him fired. Team chairman George McCaskey elected to give him and GM Ryan Pace one more chance. An opportunity to get this team over the hump and hopefully win in the playoffs. Three weeks into the 2021 season and those hopes are fading fast. Not only are the Bears 1-2, but their offense is the worst in the NFL.
Not exactly the evidence of progress McCaskey was hoping for. This has led to widespread speculation that Nagy won’t be the head coach in Chicago beyond 2021. It is merely a matter of when he gets the boot. Some wonder if a bad enough first half of the season gets him fired around the bye week or even soon. Something the Bears have never done before. Others think he’ll just play out the string and be gone in January. NFL insider Benjamin Allbright made it clear the latter will likely be the case.
When Matt Nagy gets let go, and he will be after this season, the Bears should hire Greg Roman.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 29, 2021
That isn’t the most interesting comment though.
A few hours later as fans were discussing the mention of Greg Roman as a possible replacement, somebody broached the name Brian Daboll as a possibility. For those who don’t know, Daboll is the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. He’s had a major hand in the ascent of quarterback Josh Allen to one of the best in the AFC. Fresh off a Pro Bowl nod in 2020. Allbright spoke up on this and made it seem like the 46-year old might already be on the Bears’ radar.
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Daboll would be the leader in the clubhouse
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 29, 2021
Probably get your wish
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 29, 2021
If this is true, and some SM sources indicate it could indeed be, then it offers a few realizations. One is that the Bears brass is already thinking about life after Nagy. Never a good sign. The other is an understanding of what they’re trying to accomplish. That is making Justin Fields the best possible quarterback they can.
Daboll has a far more proven track record than Matt Nagy
Just in terms of experience. He’s been an offensive coordinator for several different teams. In that time, he has shown steady progress in terms of his ability to craft a successful system. His Bills offense ranked 2nd last year in points scored and is 4th so far this season. One persistent theme is balance. It isn’t just about the QBs. Daboll’s offense has posted a top 11 rushing attack in five of his eight seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator.
Most important, he has experience coaching quarterbacks like Fields. Guys who are known more for their mobility and arm strength rather than their pocket presence and ability to read the field. That was the case with Allen at first in Buffalo. He also did great work with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa in 2017 as the offensive coordinator at Alabama. They combined for 28 TD passes and just three interceptions.
The man is ready for a chance to run his own team.
He’s far more experienced and proven than Matt Nagy was. Nagy grew up solely under the guidance of Andy Reid. Daboll had a chance to work with Nick Saban, Bill Belichick, and Sean McDermott among others. He’s seen all sorts of different coaching styles. It isn’t known if he can command a locker room as a leader or not. His players seem to love him though. So if this is the Bears’ guy? It seems like a solid choice.
