More than a few people aren’t happy with Matt Nagy. They can’t understand his logic in regards to the quarterback situation. Yes, the Chicago Bears initially promised the starting job to Andy Dalton. Yet that was done when they had no clear alternative at quarterback. Now Justin Fields is on the roster. With all due respect to Dalton, their talents can’t even compare. Fields was a star at Ohio State. A freak of nature in many respects. How can Nagy justify sitting him on the bench when he’s already so battle-tested?
Former Philadelphia Eagles executive Joe Banner knows exactly why. He’s seen this process before. Banner worked with Nagy when he was an assistant coach for the Eagles. During that time he learned how the man thinks. Not only that but he’s also seen how the man’s mentor Andy Reid operates as well. In his mind, Nagy has a very good reason to sit Fields. Presuming it’s about self-preservation as everybody seems to think. Banner explained in a column for The 33rd Team.
“If he (Fields) plays poorly right away, which happens with a lot of rookie quarterbacks regardless, the Bears ownership may feel there is no reason not to make a change. He did not flourish in the scheme in year one, and this will be the second quarterback they have tried to develop that has not been successful.
If we are just talking about Nagy’s self-interest — which I do not think is a factor having worked with him in Philadelphia – then sitting the quarterback off the jump best suits him. In reality, it also might be what is best for Fields’ development.”
This isn’t about Nagy
It is about the Bears. What is best for the organization? Throwing Fields out there right away might be what fans want, but Nagy doesn’t think it serves the bigger picture. Banner detailed what that means by using the example of what Reid did with Donovan McNabb. It isn’t about the first year with a quarterback drafted that high. It must be about the next 10 years. That is what the organization should be aiming for.
“After we drafted Donovan McNabb in 1999, he did not start till mid-November of his rookie year. Before the season, everyone agreed we had a better chance of winning with Donovan playing, but we drafted him for the next 10 years and did not want to throw him out there with challenges that could hinder his long-term success.”
People continue to believe that winning in 2021 is the only goal for Matt Nagy. This under the perception that his job is in jeopardy if the Bears don’t make the playoffs. In reality? The signs point to something different. GM Ryan Pace has said for years his stated goal was to make the Bears regular contenders. To do that, they need a quarterback. Mitch Trubisky was their first attempt. It didn’t work out. So Nagy and Pace sold George McCaskey on this vision once again. Let them get fix the QB position and build this thing right.
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McCaskey gave Matt Nagy his vote of confidence
Four months later, the Bears made their bold move to grab Fields. The reaction from fans is likely what the owner was hoping for. Yet the real job is just beginning. Getting the quarterback is only one piece of the puzzle. It falls to the head coach to make sure the kid ends up becoming what he should be. That requires patience and development. Nagy must do everything in his power to make sure Fields is prepared. After spending watching Reid operate in Philadelphia and Kansas City, he came to believe in this formula.
The more comfortable you can make the quarterback feel before throwing him out there? The better he is going to play. It was true of McNabb, it was true of Michael Vick, and it was true of Patrick Mahomes. This can’t be about 2021. Do the Bears have a realistic shot to win the Super Bowl this year? Unlikely. Dalton has never won a playoff game in his NFL career. A rookie quarterback has never even reached the Super Bowl, let alone won it.
So the focus must be on maximizing Fields’ chances of success.
If that means stowing him away for the first 10-12 games of the season? So be it. A small price to pay if it means the next 10-12 years will be successful. The bottom line remains unchanged. Sooner or later, Justin Fields will be the starting quarterback of the Bears. Matt Nagy is just doing what he feels is right for both the player and the organization.
