Matt Nagy is a constant topic of debate these days among Chicago Bears fans. Not just because the team is sliding after three-straight losses, but also how dismal his offense has been. Not just this season but all the way back to the start of 2019. The inconsistency, the brutal scoring droughts, and the lack of discipline. It’s one thing after another and Nagy, the supposed offensive guru from Kansas City, has no answers for it. Ironically, he isn’t the only coach who was getting an earful for similar problems. Adam Gase knows his struggle.
The former Bears offensive coordinator probably misses his time in Chicago. Back then he was a hot commodity, viewed as one of the best minds in the business. After just one season with the team though, he left to become the head coach in Miami. Three years amounted to little and he was fired. Now he’s the head coach for the New York Jets and the experience is even worse.
Perhaps the greatest source of heat was his offense.
It constantly showed an inability to get anything out of the talent he had. The New York media kept pressing him about the play calling and whether it was a good idea to keep doing it. Gase resisted and resisted, believing he could do the job fine. Then the Jets were shut out by Miami in Week 6. Forced to confront reality, the coach made the tough decision to hand play calling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
Things didn’t start well. New York managed just 10 and 9 points respectively over the next two games. However, there were signs that the offense was starting to gain a little traction. Then on Monday Night Football, they put up 27 points on the 12th ranked Patriots defense. Perhaps the first confirmation that Gase made the right call making the switch.
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So here’s the question. If Adam Gase can put his ego aside to do what is best for his team, why can’t Nagy?
Adam Gase has the advantage of knowing his job is on the line
Maybe being 0-9 and knowing full well the team is likely headed for the #1 pick is why Gase was willing to do whatever it takes to win. Expectations are he will likely be fired after this season unless there’s some sort of dramatic turnaround in the final seven games. It could be possible it has yet sunk in for Nagy that his seat is starting to warm up as well.
Why should it? From his perspective, he’s done his job. He went to the playoffs in 2018. He avoided a losing record in 2019. Now despite the latest skid he still holds a winning record at 5-4. The job of every head coach is to win and he’s done that enough, right? This is fair. At the same time, that record is in serious danger of going sideways. All thanks to his listless and uninspired offense.
Not just the fans are frustrated. Players are getting there too.
It’s in their body language on the field. Nick Foles even spoke about Nagy’s inability to recognize when certain plays won’t work because of the protection. Everybody has a breaking point. Adam Gase found his a few weeks ago and some could argue he waited too long. Nagy is threatening to do the same. His stubborn refusal to at least try a new voice calling the plays is pushing the Bears into a tailspin they may not be able to pull out of.
The fear is that if and when he does actually do it? It’ll be too little, too late.
