Most Chicago fans will struggle internally on whether they should even bother to watch Sunday afternoon as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Everything about the game feels meaningless. Winning does little for them since they’ve already been eliminated from the playoffs. Losing is beneficial to their draft position but also bittersweet. So in an effort to bolster the mix with a little intrigue, how about the possibility of seeing the next Bears head coach?
It’s a name that almost everybody had forgotten until this year until a twist of fate thrust him back into the spotlight. Bill Lazor burst onto the scene as offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2014. Up until that point former 1st round quarterback Ryan Tannehill had gone through two average seasons as starter. It was hopes Lazor, a young QB specialist might be able to help unlock his game.
They were right. Tannehill set career highs for completion percentage (66.4) and touchdowns (27) his first year with Lazor. He also threw fewer interceptions (12) than in 2013 and for more yards (4,045). Miami as a team finished 11th in points scored. They were 26th the year before. Unfortunately the team faltered the next year despite another strong season from Tannehill and the coaches were fired.
Bill Lazor has the pedigree to be next Bears head coach
For the Bengals the original plan wasn’t to make him offensive coordinator. He was quarterbacks coach. However, the 2017 season got off to an atrocious start. They scored nine points in their first two games while Andy Dalton threw no touchdowns and four interceptions. Ken Zampese was fired as a result and Lazor promoted to take over the offense.
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The impact has been noticeable. The Bengals were 0-2 to start the year and averaging 4.5 points per game. Since he took over they are now averaging 21 and have gone 5-5. Dalton has thrown 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions. In fact he hasn’t thrown a touchdown since October 22nd. A span of six-straight games. That is by far the longest stretch of his career.
Lazor now has considerable coordinating experience. He’s also been groomed by some top notch coaches since arriving in the NFL. He worked under the great Joe Gibbs in Washington. Then it was up to Seattle for a couple years with Mike Holmgren. Those were two of the best offensive minds of their generations. Both won Super Bowls.
Good teachers? Check. Play calling experience? Check. Quarterback savvy? Check. Young? That’s a check too. Lazor is only 45-years old. By the look of things he’s somebody who could be getting his shot at the head set sooner than later. Bears fans will get a proper introduction to what he can do in Cincinnati on Sunday.
