While the rest of the NFL and national media are thinking only about Justin Fields this Sunday, it is a different story for Chicago Bears fans. They want to see what happens with Matt Nagy. Criticism of the head coach has grown steadily since the start of 2019 regarding his prowess as an offensive mind. The regression of Mitch Trubisky was hard to ignore. It just seems like Nagy doesn’t make things easier for his players. Quite the opposite.
The biggest criticism to this point is an inability by him to adjust his scheme to maximize the strengths of his quarterback. Chicago didn’t really do that early in 2020 with Trubisky. Not until after the bye week when he regained the starting job were significant changes seen. Is it any coincidence those came when Nagy gave up play calling duties to Bill Lazor? This is why skepticism continues as Fields prepares to make his first start.
A lot of people don’t think the head coach will adjust.
Sam Acho is one of them. The former linebacker has a unique perspective on this. He played under Nagy for a year in 2018 and has stayed close to the team since then. He was asked point-blank on ESPN Get Up what the offense would look like on Sunday in Cleveland. In his mind? Don’t expect anything different. Knowing this coach, it will be a similar approach to what they had with Andy Dalton.
This falls in line with what others have said about Nagy. Olin Kreutz said the Bears head coach sees the game from the pocket. This is how he played quarterback himself and it’s how he feels the best ones should play. That is where he wants Fields to focus his attention and only use his athletic gifts when needed. It explains why the man was so intent on keeping the rookie sidelined. He knew the kid wasn’t ready to be a legitimate pocket passer yet.
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This sort of narrow-mindedness is why people don’t like Matt Nagy
He is too stubborn for his own good. His total faith in the Chiefs offensive system has made him resistant to change at almost every turn. His quote about not coming to Chicago to “run the I-formation” back in 2019 was telling. That was the first true indication of how unyielding Nagy is in his beliefs. Everything about his scheme is so rigid. Maybe that is why players have such a hard time executing it with any precision.
There is no identity. No set array of bread and butter plays. Too often it feels like Matt Nagy is throwing things against the wall to see what sticks. Finding a rhythm and scoring points is always a hassle. He has maintained from the outset the quarterbacks were the problem. Were they? It is becoming harder and harder for people to accept that excuse.
If he refuses to adjust to Fields’ strengths?
There is a good chance he could end up losing his job over it. This young man is way too talented to waste on a head coach who isn’t committed to putting him in the best possible position to succeed. Even if he’s convinced that is what he is doing.
