Jay Cutler built quite a reputation during his long NFL career. Among them is his reputation for being difficult to coach. Some even labeled him a coach killer, having been present when three different head coaches were fired. In reality, there were coaches Cutler grew to like. Mike Shanahan and Adam Gase being the two primary examples. Thus some might be shocked to learn that he has a certain admiration for current Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy.
The retired quarterback called into Waddle & Silvy of ESPN 1000 to reunite with his old friends. After discussing his latest business ventures, questions turned to the current state of his former team. Specifically his thoughts on Justin Fields. Cutler admitted he hadn’t watched a lot of the rookie. He knew of his success at Ohio State and saw a standout athlete. While he can’t be sure about his grasp of the game, there is one thing Cutler does know.
Fields is in good hands with Nagy.
“I know you guys go back and forth on the coach (Nagy) but I really like the coach. That’s never been an issue in my mind. I think he’s going to put together good plans but I wouldn’t play the kid to start. I would let him watch. I think it’s a tough spot to put someone out there especially in Chicago. Andy (Dalton) is more than serviceable. I think they can win games with Andy and kind of float the ship along until the kid is ready.”
It is pretty interesting to watch this Nagy saga unfold. Plenty of fans and media members aren’t his biggest fans. They feel his offense lacks flow and he doesn’t have a good grasp on personnel. At the same time, former players seem to like him a lot. Not just Cutler but also Peyton Manning among others. Some believe the real problem with the offense has been a simple lack of talent. Particularly at quarterback.
Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles as his primary options. A makeshift offensive line with no standout blue-chip talent. One really good receiver and a bunch of okay ones. Mostly poor tight end options prior to last year. If one were being honest? Nagy hasn’t had a lot to work with. For him to still make the playoffs twice regardless maybe deserves a bit more respect. Cutler seems to think so at least.
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Jay Cutler has no hidden agenda in his Nagy praise
What he had to say was purely based on his own personal feelings. He’s been detached from football for some time. For him to come out and say that was interesting. An unprompted show of respect. Cutler was a quarterback for many years. He saw all sorts of different offenses during that time. Good and bad. For him to state Nagy isn’t the problem leads one to think George McCaskey made the right choice keeping the coach around.
If nothing else, he’s seen the blueprint. He knows what must be done in order to get the most out of Fields. Put a solid system in place with good, stable coaching. Then surround him with as much help as possible. Jay Cutler seems to think they have the first part figured out. Now it’s a question of putting enough talent on the field with the QB. The Bears tried to take a step in that direction this year, adding several new names to the offense including a left tackle in Teven Jenkins.
The rest is up to Fields.
Cutler probably sees the state of this offense and wishes he could’ve arrived in Chicago just a little later. Nagy’s offense is one he would’ve loved with the QB-first mentality and the desire to strike deep down the field. It isn’t hard to see it also being a great fit for Fields as well. Either way, getting an endorsement from #6 as a coach is a pretty rare thing.
