People talk about Matt Nagy having an ego. Well sure. Anybody who understands professional sports knows that people in that business need an ego to have success. The thing about the Chicago Bears head coach is many believe his ego is out of control. Particularly in regards to how he runs his offense. Too often being unwilling to make adjustments in order to better handle the talent he has.
Yet when one looks closer, that simply isn’t true. Nagy has proven time and again he is always open to change if he feels it is for the best. Last season alone he changed the entire run blocking scheme and gave up play calling duties just to give the Bears a spark. A man with an out-of-control ego would never do that. Then there is the matter of how he’s handling Justin Fields.
Particularly how he’s chosen to educate the young quarterback.
It would be so easy for Nagy to view the rookie as his personal project. Nobody else is allowed close. He has full control. The truth is far different though. The head coach has often entrusted Fields to the expertise of quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. Then there is another method he’s employed during training camp. Special guests. Already in the first two weeks, the Bears have hosted a pair of noteworthy QB specialists.
The first was Doug Pederson. Nagy’s longtime friend and colleague from Kansas City and former Super Bowl champion coach in Philadelphia was in attendance for a pair of practices. During which time he was spotted around the quarterbacks. Not long after, another familiar face popped up. Former Pro Bowl QB Alex Smith. Recently retired from the NFL.
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Alex Smith helping out at Bears training camp pic.twitter.com/21xj9L7iKT
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Matt Nagy keeps surrounding Fields with QB experts
He knows the rookie isn’t afraid to ask questions. He’s an absolute sponge when it comes to learning everything he can about what it takes to succeed at quarterback in the NFL. What better way to handle that than by giving him a pair of sounding boards like Pederson and Smith? Pederson is a former quarterback himself. He backed up guys like Dan Marino, Brett Favre, and Donovan McNabb. As a coach, he’s worked with Michael Vick, Smith, Carson Wentz, and Nick Foles. His expertise is significant.
As for Smith? Nobody knows more about perseverance in the face of challenges than him. He overcame the label of a draft bust in San Francisco to become a three-time Pro Bowler in Kansas City. Then he overcame one of the most gruesome leg injuries in NFL history to return after two years and helped get the Washington Football Team to the playoffs. There is so much he can offer a young quarterback in terms of what sort of dedication is required to this job. Matt Nagy opened that door.
If Fields listens? Then he instantly gets a little better.
One has to wonder what other little ideas Nagy has to help the rookie improve in the weeks to come. The two will embark on their first game action today. The preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins might be the most anticipated exhibition the Bears have played in many years. It should be fun to see where the quarterback is at in his development.
