Matt Nagy insists that having Justin Fields sit to start 2021 is in the best interests of the Chicago Bears. That statement by itself isn’t overly bad. A lot of coaches might share the same sentiment. Obviously, most Bears fans and plenty of people in the media don’t agree. That is beside the point. One thing that a lot of people can’t understand is this. The insistence that Nagy believes Andy Dalton gives this team the best chance to win.

Since the beginning, it’s been apparent what the head coach is going for. His vision is born of what he witnessed back in 2017. Alex Smith, the steady hand for Kansas City for the past four seasons, continues to hold his job while the Chiefs keep 10th overall pick Patrick Mahomes on the sideline where he can learn. Smith plays well, Kansas City makes the playoffs, and then the next year Mahomes takes over and begins dominating the league. Nagy no doubt believes the same thing can happen with Dalton. Mike Greenberg of ESPN was swift to point out a major flaw in that logic.

What he says is true.

Nothing about this situation is the same as four years ago. Smith was entering his fifth season in the Chiefs’ offense by that point. He had it completely mastered. The locker room knew him and respected him. Kansas City also had a terrific supporting cast. A well-built offensive line and a slew of weapons including Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Kareem Hunt. Meanwhile?

Dalton only just joined the Bears a few months ago. He doesn’t know this offense. Bears players in the locker room might like him, but they have no reason to respect him. He hasn’t played a single meaningful snap yet. He looked less than effective during the preseason. This while Fields continues to show significant progress in his development. When looking at this situation, it feels as if Nagy isn’t being honest with himself. This isn’t 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnBPOjI1abc&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Nagy is taking dangerous gambles not playing Justin Fields

The first and most obvious one is on Dalton. Sure once upon a time, he was a solid football player. Between 2013 and 2017, he went to two Pro Bowls and had a respectable 90.7 passer rating. Over the past three seasons, that player vanished. Dalton threw 51 touchdowns to 33 interceptions with an 84.1 passer rating in that span. It doesn’t feel like he’s anywhere near the same trajectory as Smith was.

Then there is the gamble Nagy is taking on himself. The head coach caused quite a stir in Bears fandom when he declared he’d be taking back play calling duties on offense. An unpopular decision to say the least. To date, he hasn’t exactly impressed in that role. His offense has finished 21st, 29th, and 26th the past three years. They finished dead last in 3rd down efficiency last season and were one of the worst in red zone scoring.

Are people supposed to buy that Dalton will make this all better?

Nick Foles was supposed to make it better too. He did not. Nagy lacks any credibility to be offering these assurances. That is why sitting Justin Fields makes even less sense. His athleticism and improvisational skills can be so valuable to an offense. Especially one that always seems to lack a true identity like this one. Alas, the Bears are determined upon this course. Here is hoping it doesn’t end up costing people their jobs.