The Chicago Bears’ coaching search was swift and laser-focused, due to their preference for a certain kind of candidate. GM Ryan Pace (along with Chairman George McCaskey and President Ted Phillips) met with seven assistant coaches – five of whom had offensive-minded backgrounds – and came away with Matt Nagy as the team’s new leader.
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Coach John DeFilippo was one of the runner-ups for the position. And while he said he did his best in the interview process, it doesn’t sound like he has hard feelings about not getting the gig.
“They hired the right guy,” DeFlippo said of the Bears’ decision to hire Nagy, via Adam Hoge of WGN Radio’s Sports Central. “Matt is a very progressive offensive thinker. We’re very similar in that way, we’re not afraid to think outside the box. Mitchell (Trubisky) is in great hands.”
Alright, so if you were hip to the idea of hiring DeFilippo, but not sold on Nagy, then maybe it’s time to warm up to the Bears’ new coach. DeFilippo, like Nagy, was a fast-rising coaching candidate because experience working with quarterbacks, so his thoughts on the quarterback situation carry a little more weight than others. After all, it was DeFilippo’s hands-on help aided Carson Wentz in making significant improvements from his rookie season to Year 2. The kind of improvement the Bears would love to see Trubisky make in his second season under center.
DeFilippo also offered up some details on the interview experience with GM Ryan Pace, who he described as smart, even-keeled, and “very prepared.” The Eagles’ QBs Coach described the process as detailed, thorough, and seemed to come away impressed inferring that Pace did a lot of research on DeFilippo before the interview. By the sound of it, DeFilippo was better for the experience, too, mentioning the interview had him thinking about all facets of coaching – everything from sports science, nutrition, travel, and more.
As for Trubisky, DeFilippo admitted he didn’t go as deep into the tape as he did in 2016 with Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch, and that class of quarterback prospects. DeFilippo said he watched and graded him, but did not go too deep into film or interviews because he said he knew he would be a high first-round pick.
It wouldn’t be surprising if DeFilippo gets a head-coaching opportunity sooner, rather than later. He sounds like an inquisitive mind who understands the nuances of offense and now has a better idea of what being a head coach is all about. If you felt good about the idea of hiring DeFilippo, then you’ll probably feel good about hearing he co-signed on Nagy, Trubisky, and Pace during his interview.