People just can’t understand the thought process of Matt Nagy right now. Despite his talented young quarterback Justin Fields showing considerable progress in the win over Detroit, the head coach made it clear again this week. When Andy Dalton is healthy, he is still the Chicago Bears’ starter. Why? Sure the team may have made the guy a promise in March, but this is the NFL. Things change. It’s not their fault he got injured. If Fields is playing well, they’re within their rights to keep him out there.
Is Nagy truly that committed to his Kansas City model of keeping the rookie on the bench? Well, yes. At least partially. There may be another motivation behind it though. A belief that Dalton, while not as talented as Fields, is the more polished quarterback right now. He gives them a better chance to win games. That is Nagy’s primary motivation. As NFL insider Jay Glazer put in on FOX Sports NFL, there is a good chance the head coach is fired after this season if the Bears finish with a losing record.
This goes back to what George McCaskey said in January.
He wanted to see “progress” from this Bears team. That means improving on what they did last season, going 8-8 but making the playoffs. It isn’t hard to guess that this means a winning record at least will be needed to secure him for 2022. Things aren’t off to the best start in that regard. Chicago is 2-2 after Sunday’s win over Detroit. Now they’re about to enter easily the most difficult part of their schedule.
One that sees a visit to Las Vegas, hosting Green Bay, and visiting Tampa Bay. Three teams with winning records, two that were in the NFC championship last year, and one that is the defending Super Bowl champs. It isn’t hard to imagine the Bears end up 3-6 at the end of that stretch, their playoff aspirations on life support.
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Matt Nagy isn’t ignorant of this reality
He keeps saying this approach is what is best for Fields. In reality, it feels like an approach that is best for him instead. Dalton is the steadier hand and the head coach believes that gives the Bears a better chance to stay competitive. Never mind the fact that the 33-year old is 2-12 since the beginning of 2018 against teams that finished with winning records. Dalton is not a guy who is going to elevate anything.
He can make a good offense run smoothly. He isn’t capable of putting it on his back when the situation calls for it. Despite being a rookie, Fields has that level of talent. He will make mistakes, but there is no doubt he gives them a better chance to win due to his big arm, accuracy, and mobility. Especially if the Bears can continue to run the ball well. Matt Nagy isn’t buying that.
In his mind, there is one approach and one approach only.
This is further proof that his heart never really left Kansas City. Everything he’s done since arriving in Chicago has been based on what happened with the Chiefs. Nagy hasn’t been willing to entertain the idea this organization is different and he might need to adjust his approach. Doesn’t sound like that is going to happen, and it may cost him his job.