NEWSLETTER
If you were worried about Nick Foles transitioning into a member of the Chicago Bears, some words from the new QB should soothe those fears.
#Bears QB Nick Foles: "I love this offense. I love the verbiage. I’ve been in this offense. I know what I can do in this offense. But all that stuff gives me is wisdom – wisdom to go out there and help my teammates, to help Mitch, to help Tyler."
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) July 31, 2020
No, it doesn’t make up for not having a traditional offseason to get to know his new teammates. It does not provide a substitute for working out with pass-catchers. And it’s certainly not a replacement for the reps that did not happen in practices (and won’t happen in preseason games). But there is value in knowing the system. Moreover, there is an inherent advantage of understanding where players are supposed to be and what they are supposed to do within the system. Knowledge is power … and Foles has it.
Then again, I don’t want to draw too much upon Foles’ experience in the offense. Trey Burton felt comfortable in this offense when he arrived, too. That was supposed to be an advantage. And for what it’s worth, things looked good for Burton while he was healthy. But if anything, that is an example of how the value has its limits. Let’s face it. Experience in the offense can help only so much while you’re on the sidelines. Because if Mitchell Trubisky doesn’t take to Foles’ teachings, his wisdom will be for naught. So, ultimately, I want to exercise some caution here.
And yet, I go back to what Head Coach Matt Nagy said about not having fear about Foles missing OTAs because of his knowledge of the offense. It brings me back to my point yesterday about Trubisky having an advantage working out with his teammates. In the end, both Foles and Trubisky have an edge they can boast. Which brings us back to square one in this entire quarterback derby. So let the competition begin and let the best man win.
