NEWSLETTER
When it comes to Matt Nagy’s version of the Chicago Bears offense, a lot has gone wrong over the years. Unfortunately, the coach hasn’t offered much to answer why it just doesn’t seem to work with him on the mic (so to speak). But this quote from Bears rookie QB Justin Fields (via The Athletic’s Adam Jahns) opens a door to a possible explanation:
“You know, Bill, he’s up in the box, so his voice is always calm. That’s the one thing I like. Coach (Nagy), it’s hard for him to be calm if he has focus on the defense, focus on special teams. (Lazor’s) voice is calm. He’s up there in the box seeing the field well and he did a great job calling plays today.”
On the one hand, it is pretty damning to hear your starting quarterback (of-the-future, apparently) essentially claim that his head coach can’t be the calming presence he needs to run the type of offense he wants to put on the field. Setting the actual specifics aside for a second, this is something any generic head coach should be able to do, but especially one with a rookie quarterback under his stewardship.
But on the other hand, maybe this is a good thing.
Perhaps Fields has inadvertently stumbled upon why Matt Nagy (The Play-Caller) was failing Matt Nagy (The Head Coach). It is quite possible that Fields is presenting why Nagy’s play-calling seems disjointed, uninspired, and chaotic. Perhaps Fields offering up that Nagy, the head coach, is too concerned with duties elsewhere to provide the focus and energy needed for the play-caller to thrive. Maybe it helps explain why play calls get in so late, personnel looks like it is scrambling on and off the field at times for substitutions, and why the Bears’ offense looks like a cluttered mess when he is calling plays.
Multi-tasking is hard. But the easy thing to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed is to divide and conquer. And in the case of Nagy, the easy (and right) thing to do is to delegate for the sake of the team. The best leaders are never afraid to pass on responsibilities to their top lieutenants. And I think that’s what Fields might be saying, even if he doesn’t mean to stay it.
Ultimately, Fields offers up one heckuva endorsement for Lazor. All while dealing a backhand to the head coach. But I think this is an important step in the process.
As an aside, I do see it as a good thing that Fields feels comfortable enough to relay these thoughts. Communication is king. And when the quarterback has open lines with his head coach and play-caller, everything tends to follow.
Beyond that, and more importantly, the Bears must continue to prioritize Fields’ on-field development. That means everything they do should be done with his best interests in mind. Whether it is the types of plays, how they are relayed, formations, personnel packages, and everything in between. Do what’s best to get the most out of Fields. Anything less is malpractice.
