Matt Nagy has done some incredible things with the Chicago Bears offense in 2018. Mitch Trubisky is in the midst of having the best statistical season a Bears QB has ever had. Four different receivers have at least 30 catches and the offense has scored at least 30 points in four of the past six games. Things are really starting to click for him.
However, all of that feels like a preamble to this week. By far the biggest test of his coaching tenure to date, both as a head coach and an offensive mind is at hand. The Minnesota Vikings coming to Soldier Field just a half game behind the Bears in the NFC North standing and boasting a roster that is talented from top to bottom.
Beating them is going to prove difficult because they’re a smart team that will likely have a strong idea of what Nagy and his offense will want to do. That is unless the wily young coach throws something at them they aren’t ready for.
Matt Nagy could unveil another weapon to attack a Vikings weakness
The Vikings defense is one of the best in the NFL. They have talent at every level and they’re coached by a longtime mastermind in Mike Zimmer. It’s not a group that has a lot of chinks in the armor. That doesn’t mean there are none. Looking over the course of their season, one thing has become apparent. Minnesota struggled to defend against tight ends. Just look at the numbers they’ve allowed.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
- George Kittle: 5 catches for 90 yards
- Jimmy Graham: 6 catches for 95 yards
- Buffalo Bills: 3 catches for 44 yards and 1 TD
- Zach Ertz: 10 catches for 110 yards and 1 TD
- Arizona Cardinals: 6 catches for 95 yards
- Christopher Herndon: 4 catches for 42 yards and 1 TD
Why is this significant? Two reasons. The first is the emergence of Trey Burton. The Bears free agent signing has been a bit hit this year with 433 yards and five touchdowns over the first nine games. His prowess as a pass catcher and fit in the Nagy offense was evident almost from the start.
Then there’s that other part.
Nagy on possibility of TE Adam Shaheen being active for #SNF: “I hope so but I don’t know.”
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 16, 2018
Former 2nd round pick Adam Shaheen looked poised for a big year at the start of this season but he was knocked out by an ankle and foot injury before it ever got going. There were signs throughout training camp and the preseason that Nagy had tons of ideas on how to work Burton and Shaheen together on the field at the same time given both are capable pass catchers.
Shaheen has made it through two weeks of practice without any reported setbacks. Nagy may be saying he’s not sure if the team will activate him ahead of Sunday night, but that sounds less like uncertainty and more like typical gamesmanship to keep Minnesota in the dark. Everything feels like Shaheen will make his debut this week and the Bears have big plans to utilize him and Burton to attack that defense.
