The Chicago Bears went 12-4 in 2018 and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. One would call that a major accomplishment for head coach Matt Nagy. Especially in his first year running the team. However, it’s doubtful the 40-year old is patting himself on the back. He knows they lost a game they should’ve won against Philadelphia.
The reasons for that failure are mostly levied against kicker Cody Parkey. His miss of a 43-yard field goal that night that would’ve won the game was his 11th of the season. It was clear by comments by Nagy and GM Ryan Pace that the team is more than likely to make a change at that position before the offseason concludes over the next several months.
However, that’s not the only spot that Nagy may view as a failure. Being an offensive guy, he no doubt had clear vision of the fact that the Bears ran for just 65 total yards in the loss. Something that was a major contributing factor. Rumors have abounded for months that he may wish to make changes as the first opportunity gives the inconsistency the position has dealt with since his arrival.
Given the first chance of a new year to deny such a possibility, Nagy appeared to pass.
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Asked about Jordan Howard's future with the team Matt Nagy didn't answer the question. Whether that was intentional or he got lost in a fairly long answer about evaluating the offense wasn't clear. But he didn't answer the question.
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) January 14, 2019
Matt Nagy blasts door open with Jordan Howard and Kareem Hunt comments
While concrete plans never come forth during press conferences for obvious reasons, Nagy certainly didn’t dismiss any ideas that changes could be coming at running back. Jordan Howard finished under 1,000 yards for the first time in his career this past season. While he scored nine touchdowns, he also averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. It was apparent he struggled to fit in Nagy’s system.
Adding to this issue is the fact that Howard is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Around now is when one would expect a decision to be made. Do the Bears start working to extend him or do they consider a possible trade? Given what Howard has done for the team it would be easy to think the answer is simple, but it’s not. As reliable as Howard has been, it’s apparent there are still limits to what he can do.
He’s never been an explosive runner and despite improving his hands, he’s still not a big factor in the passing game. The lack of commitment to him during the press conference by Nagy was then followed by an interesting lack of firm stance on the possibility of signing ex-Chiefs Pro Bowl running back Kareem Hunt. Apparently, the coach had called his former player a week ago to check on him.
“The only thing I cared about when I talked to him was literally his personal life, how he’s doing. It was a good conversation. He sounded good. But that’s it. … There’s more to it than the football, so we talked strictly on that (his personal life).”
Everybody knows the situation with Hunt.
TMZ released view many weeks ago that showed Hunt getting into an altercation with a woman at a Cleveland hotel during which he shoved to the ground and attempted to kick her. Though he was never charged with a crime, it was a bad look in every sense given the cloud of domestic violence issues in the NFL these days. So the Chiefs took the unprecedented step of cutting him shortly after the video came out.
While his football life is on hold for the moment, most believe it’s only temporary. Hunt is 23-years old and was one of the best backs in the league. It feels like just a matter of time before some team gives him a second chance. The Bears, who employ a coach in Nagy who helped turn him into the NFL rushing leader in 2017, seem like the most obvious destination.
There is no doubt Hunt could do tremendous damage in Chicago, something many Bears fans are excited to think about. The problem is his reputation in no way fits with the high-character culture Nagy and Pace have cultivated. Yet just the fact that the Bears even slightly entertained the idea sends a loud and clear message.
Changes are coming at running back, and probably sooner than we think.
