The Chicago Bears haven’t made any changes yet. However, pretty much everybody assumes they’re coming. If not to the two main guys in head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace, then definitely to the coaching staff and roster. One cannot go 8-8 in a year with Super Bowl aspirations and not expect some reevaluation of things. If this is the case, then it is almost impossible to not see something happening on the offensive side of the ball.
The Bears ranked 30th in the NFL in scoring for this season. The fact they managed to go .500 at all is a testament to how good the defense was. Nagy has to know his job will be on the line in 2020. So he can’t afford to maintain the status quo. Somebody must be held accountable for these failures. The good news is the market for offensive assistants is already starting to swell thanks to layoffs happening elsewhere.
Here are a few names worth their attention.
Assistants who could help the Chicago Bears offense
Pat Shurmur
The general feeling is a change might be coming at offensive coordinator for the Bears. If that’s the case, one would imagine Nagy might prefer somebody with a connection to his mentor Andy Reid. Pat Shurmur is that guy and might be the most qualified coordinator candidate on the market now after the New York Giants fired him as head coach.
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Shurmur has a long track record of success running offenses. He’s produced a top 15 unit five times in his career. Highlighting this is his knack for elevating previously underachieving quarterbacks. He got Nick Foles to a Pro Bowl in 2013, throwing 27 touchdowns in just 10 games. Then in 2017, Case Keenum threw 22 touchdowns to seven interceptions while leading Minnesota to the NFC championship. He knows his stuff.
Jay Gruden
Another name who would bring far more experience and pedigree to offensive coordinator for the Bears would be Jay Gruden. The former head coach of the Washington Redskins was fired midseason this year and has been in limbo ever since. That said, he’s had success as a coordinator. From 2011 to 2013, he held that job with the Cincinnati Bengals. They went from 18th to 12th to 6th in a three-year span.
Andy Dalton threw for a career-high 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns that final season. So it’s safe to say Gruden knows how to get the most out of his quarterbacks.
Mike Shula
Helfrich isn’t the only guy who might be in danger. Quarterback coach Dave Ragone should be feeling nervous too. He was a holdover from John Fox’s staff in most part because Mitch Trubisky lobbied for him. Now that Trubisky isn’t exactly lighting it up, Nagy might take the chance to bring in somebody who is a little more forceful with his quarterbacks. Or at least better at bringing out their best.
Mike Shula has done that for years. He got a Pro Bowl out of Trent Dilfer in Tampa Bay back in 1997. He did the same with David Garrard in 2007. His best work though came in Carolina where he elevated Cam Newton to league MVP in 2015. This past season? He did some really good work with rookie Daniel Jones in New York (24 TD passes).
Chad O’Shea
The Miami Dolphins decided to make some staff changes after a 5-11 season. One of them was firing offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea. A bit unfair given how well the unit was playing towards the end of 2019 but such is the cold business of the NFL. O’Shea though will not have to wait long for work. He’s one of the more respected wide receiver coaches in the business, having had success both in Minnesota and especially New England where he won three Super Bowls. Pro Bowlers like Wes Welker and Julian Edelman each had career years under his watch.
Bill Callahan
One spot that a lot of fans seem to think should be up for a switch is offensive line coach. No surprise given how the unit has struggled this year. Harry Hiestand though is one of the most reputable in the business. It’s hard to see him being fired after a down year. One that saw key injuries to the entire right side of the line. If they do though, then Bill Callahan is a name they want on their list.
Callahan is one of those assistants who if you follow his track record, top 10 rushing attacks seem to follow. Philadelphia? Oakland? New York? Dallas? He’s done it almost everywhere he’s been. The Chicago Bears finished 29th in rushing this past year. If they want a guy who will be able to help “move motherf**kers” again, Callahan is the choice.
