Not every day is going to go as planned during training camp. That is just how this works. Sometimes everything will go wrong on one side of the ball or the other. Maybe it’s fatigue. Maybe it is a lack of preparation or motivation. Whatever the reasons, it sounds like the Chicago Bears offense failed to show up at Tuesday’s practice on August 17th. One that head coach Matt Nagy was none too pleased to witness.
According to those who were in attendance for the practice, it was a breakdown in two key areas. The offensive line is one. They had a hard time protecting any of the quarterbacks in the entire practice. Multiple “sacks” were recorded. Yet it was the wide receivers who made it so much worse. Not only did they struggle with getting into proper alignments and run correct routes, but they also had an appalling array of drops during drills.
Justin Fields just put a ball in Javon Wims’ bread basket, but Wims dropped it.
Is anyone surprised? #Bears
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 17, 2021
Riley Ridley just recorded his second drop of the day in this same two-minute sequence.
Not the best day for him after solid reps yesterday. #Bears
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 17, 2021
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Andy Dalton just threw a nice pass to #Bears WR Chris Lacy, who wears 17.
The pass was dropped by a Bear wearing 17…😂
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 17, 2021
On 4th 10, Justin Fields throws a catchable ball to Rodney Adams over the middle but he drops the ball. https://t.co/Ps3eObqLQO
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 17, 2021
Nagy was not happy.
At one point he was heard shouting at the offensive sideline, calling their entire performance a “shitshow.” Even without the benefit of video evidence, the eyewitness accounts suggest that might actually be an understatement.
#Bears coach Matt Nagy just yelled to the sidelines “This is a sh*tshow!” referring to today’s practice that has been porous offensively.
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 17, 2021
Nagy wasn’t alone either. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey may have been even more livid than he was. It was his group that stood out the most for their mistakes. Given the type of detail-oriented person he is and his competitive mentality? That must’ve been nauseating for him to watch. His words on the carnage say it all.
WR Coach Mike Furrey “We can’t even get lined up in trips right now… this is the most embarrassing day.” #Bears
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) August 17, 2021
BEARS TRAINING CAMP: After Matt Nagy has offense re-huddle after lining up incorrectly, WR coach Mike Furrey to the offensive sideline:
“This is the most embarrassing day we’ve ever had.”
— Pat Hunt (@PatHuntJr) August 17, 2021
The truth is the Bears receiving corps hasn’t had the best past few days. They were held in check during most of the first preseason game against Miami, routinely failing to get free of man coverage. Now this comedy of errors. It leads one to wonder if the team might be considering a shakeup heading into the season.
Matt Nagy and Bears still seeeking definitive answer at receiver
Right now they only have two they know they can reasonably count on. Allen Robinson remains a stud and Pro Bowl-caliber in every respect. Darnell Mooney exceeded expectations as a rookie and has looked improved for most of training camp. The problems start to emerge after them. Does this team have a reliable #3 receiver on the roster. There is plenty of talk about Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd but they come with their own questions.
Goodwins hasn’t played since 2019 and has a history of health problems. Byrd had a decent year in New England last season. Yet that was his only noteworthy performance to date in the NFL. Dazz Newsome? He’s a 6th round pick. There is plenty of promise but he hasn’t proven anything. The truth is the Bears are leaning on a lot of maybes with this current group.
Here is hoping the rest of the week will be better.
Otherwise, Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace may have some interesting decisions to make. Perhaps they will look to waiver wire with cuts from other teams starting to filter out. It is possible one or two decent receiving options might become available. Maybe that threat alone will wake some of those guys up to the reality that such ugly days can’t and won’t be tolerated.