It has been a hard week for the Chicago Bears due to injuries and players testing positive with COVID. Chicago will be without both offensive linemen Jason Spriggs and Cody Whitehair as they tested positive this week. Head coach Matt Nagy due to injuries and the positive tests could be without his entire starting offensive line and backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Against a quality defense in the Titans, Nagy may have to simplify his offensive’s playbook just to have a fighting chance.
#Bears OL Cody Whitehair tested positive for COVID-19, source said. Another Chicago O-lineman to test positive after Jason Spriggs. The team is already in the intensive protocol but team officials decided to do everything virtual today to be extra cautious and safe.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2020
The Bears offensive will enter Sunday’s game against the Titans as one of the worst offenses in the league as they are in the bottom five of all major offensive categories. The Bears are 30th in yards per play and 29th in yards per carry, which have led many to question whether or not Nagy should give up play-calling duties. Some have accused the Bears’ head coach of having play designs that take too long to develop or are overly complicated.
With the Bears most likely having five new starters along the offensive line that have very little or playing experience, Chicago could be outmatched both from a talent and physical standpoint. Nagy may have to simplify his game plan to help make the offensive line’s job easier in protecting quarterback Nick Foles. Whether it is running the ball more, calling screen passes, or getting the ball out quicker of Foles’ hand, Chicago’s coach must make the most of a difficult situation.
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Because of all the injuries/COVID, #Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he has no idea who will get the starts along his offensive line.
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) November 4, 2020
The Bears have had several instances in prior years where offensive play-callers had to adjust their game plan due to injuries with their starters. In 2015, then offensive coordinator Adam Gase had several games in which Chicago was without their top two or three receivers and their starting tight end. Despite the injuries, the Bears offense was still able to generate points and win several games.
One past game that is strikingly similar to the situation Nagy and his team find themselves facing on Sunday would be the 2011 Christmas game against the Green Bay Packers. Then offensive coordinator Mike Martz faced similar criticism that the current Bears head coach faces now as the 2011 offense lacked running the ball consistently and had a complex passing attack.
Bears playcallers in Year 2 thru 7 games:
2019 Matt Nagy (3-4 rec)
16.3 OFF PPG, 4.5 YPP2017 Dowell Loggains(3-4 rec)
13.1 OFF PPG, 4.8 YPP2014 Marc Trestman(3-4 rec)
21.4 OFF PPG, 5.5 YPP2011 Mike Martz(4-3 rec)
19 OFF PGG, 5.6 YPP#Bears100— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeO670) October 28, 2019
Heading into the Christmas game against the 11-1 Packers, the Bears were down to their third-string quarterback, third-string running back, and were without their top receiver in Johnny Knox. Despite the injuries, Chicago’s offense would rush for 199 yards, record over 441 total yards, scored 21 points, and led Green Bay in time of possession by 10 points. Although the Bears lost the game, their offense made kept the game close through the third quarter before the Packers took control and won 35-21.
Although the Bears lost, many respected Martz’s ability to simplify his game plan, which led to several long drives for the Bears offense. Nagy may have to do the same to keep them competitive, let alone help give his team a chance to pull the upset against the Titans. It is hardships like this that prove a coach’s worth, and on Sunday, Chicago’s head coach will have his own chance.
