NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ presumptive hire of Bill Lazor as the team’s next offensive coordinator is a layered one.
For starters, the expectation is that he will not call plays. Instead, Head Coach Matt Nagy figures to retain the role of chief play-caller. So if Lazor isn’t calling plays, you are probably asking yourself what was the point of hiring a new offensive coordinator in the first place. Or, rather, what/how is he expected to improve the Bears offensive performance next season. Unfortunatly, until Lazor (or Nagy) steps to a mic and explains what the role of the new OC will be, we are left taking educated guesses on the matter. However, there is one NFL reporter who has an inkling as to what Lazor brings to the table.
The MMQB’s Albert Breer views the Nagy-Lazor coupling as an interesting one, in part, because of what Lazor can do for quarterback Mitch Trubisky: “Lazor’s known for simplifying scheme for players, weaponizing tempo and finding a way to get guys playing fast,” Breer writes. “With a quarterback, in Mitch Trubisky, who often seems to think too much on the field, injecting that influence into Matt Nagy’s offense could be a godsend.”
And here I am thinking Lazor’s hire was connected to his prior relationship with oft-rumored Bears target Andy Dalton.
Let’s put Lazor’s connections with other quarterbacks aside to focus in on what Breer says Lazor does well. Because that’s why he was brought to Chicago in the first place.
And to do so, think back to what Nagy said at the end of 2019. In his season-ending press conference, Nagy tasked Trubisky with becoming a master at reading and understanding coverages. That seems like quite the challenge for a player who’s struggled to read defenses, go through his progressions, and understand what opposing defenses are doing to scheme him. Based on how last season went, whatever messages that were sent weren’t getting through. So Lazor presents a new vehicle through which to send transmissions. A fresh voice and new set of eyes on old problems never hurt anyone.
Apparently, Lazor also likes to to run tempo and play fast. And in order for his players and team to do so, he simplifies things to make it easy for players to grasp, take it to the field, and execute.
We’ve heard Trubisky talk often about his desire to play fast, get in and out of the huddle, make quick reads, get the ball to his playmakers, and get out of dodge. So perhaps Lazor’s ability to break things down – for that reason – can be of some assistance. If it leads to Trubisky thinking less and getting to a place where the detailed complexity of an offense isn’t an issue for a signal caller who struggled in the 202 level of this offense, then hiring Lazor could go down beautifully.
