Brad Childress has been around the block a few times in the NFL. This is a coach who’s seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows. That is especially true at the quarterback position. The Kansas City Chiefs assistant head coach also knows about Matt Nagy and his relationship to Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky. There was plenty to reveal about how those two came together.
Most people know the main details. Trubisky came out of North Carolina after just one year as a starter. He had his doubters but Bears GM Ryan Pace wasn’t one of them. Chicago traded up from #3 to #2 in the draft with San Francisco to get him. Plenty of people were shocked by the move. One of the teams that wasn’t? Kansas City.
They had designs on Trubisky going into the draft as well. Given the fact they eventually traded up to #10 to select Patrick Mahomes, it’s safe to say they likely would done the same for Mitch. His biggest believer in the Chiefs building was Nagy, and Childress explained to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune the moment where Trubisky made himself stand out from the pack.
Trubisky’s ability to absorb information sold Matt Nagy immediately
The quarterbacks watched as a handful of plays were installed and detailed on the whiteboard. The prospects took notes. They watched videos of the concepts.
After a break, the quarterbacks were asked to recall everything in detail, needing to be precise with the drops and the route splits and depths and how certain reads converted against different coverages. Trubisky’s aptitude stood out.
“You want to know ‘What can this kid retain? What can he detail and process?’” Childress said. “Everything from snap count to changing plays at the line. Trubisky was a very good interview in that way.
“Matt still had his notes from that interview. I know that. Whether he presented those to Ryan or Mr. McCaskey, I don’t know. But I know he has a feel for Mitch. They won’t be strangers.”
One of the constant sources of praise by the previous Bears staff was how good Trubisky is at learning the offense. He took it in faster than most other players on the team. Part of that is his obvious intelligence but also an insatiable work ethic that keeps him at the team facility for long hours. Nobody is going to put in more time than him. No doubt Nagy, who is used to 18-hour days, saw a bit of himself in Trubisky.
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That impression didn’t wear off. The two kept in touch during the season and have now reunited. Nagy wasn’t going to let a second opportunity to coach Trubisky pass him by. Fans are anxious to see what this combination will be able to do. Nagy runs an offense that fits much of what the young quarterback does best. Combined with some creative play calling this has a chance to become something special.
