Matt Nagy had to know the situation he was facing when the 2020 offseason began. He may have fired offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, which was the right decision. However, finding a good replacement was going to be a challenge. Not only does the Chicago Bears head coach find himself on the hot seat after a disappointing 2019. One where his offense was the primary reason for their 8-8 record. It’s also one that features a questionable quarterback situation in Mitch Trubisky.
What respectable coach is going to stake his reputation on such an iffy scenario? This is why they missed out on Pat Shurmur and also why it appears, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka is also unlikely. Instead Nagy will have to mind the free agent market for options, seeking coaches who are looking to get back in the NFL mix.
One such name appears to have surfaced.
“The Bears hoped to land former Giants coach Pat Shurmur to replace offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich but multiple reports indicate Shurmur is going to the Broncos, who fired Rich Scangarello over the weekend.
One source told the Tribune the Bears have expressed interest in former Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who was out of the league this season. Lazor, 47, was the offensive coordinator for the Bengals for two seasons (2017-18) f and served as the quarterbacks coach in 2016. He was the Dolphins offensive coordinator for two seasons (2014-15) and worked as a quarterbacks coach for the Eagles (after Nagy left Philadelphia), Seahawks and Redskins, among other stops.”
Matt Nagy agenda is clear with Bill Lazor pursuit
Shurmur, Kafka, and now Lazor? It’s apparent that Nagy has a clear desire in mind for what he wants at offensive coordinator. He wants a quarterback specialist. Somebody who can help finally get that position fixed, whether it be Trubisky or another. The good news is Lazor has a respectable history coaching up the position. This is the man who famously got a 3-0 record and a 106.4 passer rating out of Todd Collins in 2007 for the Redskins.
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He was quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia in 2013, the same year Nick Foles threw 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions in 10 games.
This led to an offensive coordinator job in Miami where he helped Ryan Tannehill to the best season of his career in 2014, throwing for 4,045 yards and 27 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Last but not least, he helped Andy Dalton to the last of his three Pro Bowls in 2016 with the Cincinnati Bengals. His reputation as a play caller is somewhat lukewarm, but nobody can argue the magic touch he has with quarterbacks. This is undoubtedly what Nagy is hoping to get from him. Maybe, just maybe the Bears can resurrect Trubisky with his help.