Chase Daniel signed a two-year contract worth $10 million to become the new Chicago Bears backup quarterback. This was done on purpose. His prior knowledge of Matt Nagy’s offensive scheme from their time together in Kansas City made him a perfect choice. Nobody else would be able to help Mitch Trubisky transition to the new system quicker. He could spend that extra time with him off the field when coaches couldn’t, helping him with the language and terminology.
He’s already made a positive impression on the locker room, assuming a veteran leadership role. Yet even Daniel himself wasn’t quite prepared for what the Bears coaching staff had planned for this new offense. It turns out Nagy has changed somewhat from five years ago when he installed his first scheme with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Namely, it’s how much the coaches are throwing at the players in terms of the sheer number of plays. Apparently, it’s upwards of 10 times the number that came through by this point back in 2013. Daniel is surprised, but also isn’t worried. He’s encouraged by how the players, especially Trubisky have handled it.
“I’d say it’s way ahead of schedule. I think that’s on purpose, too. I think coaches are doing it on purpose and putting a lot of stress on us now. And once training camp comes, we’ll get back to fundamentals and details.”
Matt Nagy taking his first step away from Andy Reid umbrella
It’s important to remember that the man who decided how quickly the Chiefs installed the offense back in 2013 wasn’t Nagy. That was head coach Andy Reid. He seemed to have a more methodical approach. It’s hard to argue with it. Alex Smith went to his first Pro Bowl that season. Nagy seems to be taking a more aggressive approach. He wants to see how much his young quarterback can handle.
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It might also be because Trubisky is absorbing it faster than expected. Rookie receiver Anthony Miller noted how amazed he was at the QB’s ability to spit out plays so soon after they were installed. A testament to his hard work and preparation.
“MITCH, HE KNOWS THE GAME ALREADY. HE’S A GUY THAT STUDIES THIS OFFENSE, AND I SEE THAT. WHEN HE COMES IN THE HUDDLE, WE’LL HAVE A PLAY THAT’S SO LONG AND HE’LL JUST SPIT IT OUT. THAT TELLS ME THAT HE’S IN HIS PLAYBOOK AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO HIM.”
Give Nagy credit.
One of the hardest things for a head coach to do is stepping out of the comfort zone he’d lived in for years with their former mentor. He’s recognizing that he can’t coach like Reid because he’s not Reid. He has to do it his way and trust it’s the way that will work.
People don’t give enough credit to Mike Ditka and Lovie Smith for that. Ditka learned at the knee of all-time great Tom Landry. He easily could’ve tried to emulate the man in Chicago but instead took his lessons and applied them with his own style. Smith was a protege of Hall of Famer Tony Dungy but developed his own intricacies over the years as well.
Nagy wants to forge his own path. This is merely one of the first steps.
