The Chicago Bears haven’t set anything in stone regarding changes for 2020. That won’t happen until after their regular season ends sometime around 3:30 CST on Sunday in Minnesota. Then head coach Matt Nagy will have some tough decisions to make. Most notable of them include what to do with his coaching staff. While loyalty is something he’s big on, it would be a monumentally tough sell for him to keep this staff together after the offense finished 30th in the NFL.
A shakeup is needed. There is a growing belief that if a notable change is to come, it will be at offensive coordinator. Mark Helfrich was brought in by Nagy in 2018 because he felt the former Oregon head coach saw the game differently. He had a creative mind and that could be put to good use in crafting a new playbook. This had some success last year, but Helfrich’s shortcomings soon began to show up. Particularly regarding the lack of discipline and preparation his offense continued to show.
Maybe he’s a scapegoat. Maybe not. Either way, he hasn’t done his job well enough. So the Bears could be looking for a replacement. If things go as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is hearing over in New York, an ideal replacement is about to be available.
“The Giants are among the teams considering moving on from their coach, as Pat Shurmur’s status is in doubt after two seasons. At this point, it appears that president and CEO John Mara is uncertain about moving on from another coach so quickly, while chairman and executive vice president Steve Tisch appears to be in favor of a new coach.
The team has won two in a row and Daniel Jones has played well. Could a third win in a row alter the landscape? As for Gettleman, ownership is set to discuss everything – his status included.”
Chicago Bears would love Pat Shurmur running the show
People may not be fans of Pat Shurmur at the moment. That’s fair. The guy just isn’t a good head coach. Two chances now have proven that much. However, there is no debating his skill at running an offense. He’s done it to considerable success for more than one team. The best part? He has a particular knack when it comes to the quarterback position.
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- 2010 – Rookie Sam Bradford posts respectable 76.5 passer rating
- 2013 – Nick Foles throws 27 TDs to 2 INTs in 10 games
- 2016 – Sam Bradford posts career-best 99.3 passer rating
- 2017 – Case Keenum throws 22 TDs to 7 INTs in 14 games
- 2018 – Eli Manning posts 90+ passer rating for just 5th time in career
- 2019 – Daniel Jones throws 23 TDs in 12 games
The best part is Shurmur has connections to Nagy’s mentor Andy Reid. He was an assistant under the longtime head coach from 1999 to 2008. He coached the quarterbacks when Donovan McNabb had the best seasons of his career. That alone should be a considerable lure for the Bears’ head coach. If anybody can squeeze better play out of Mitch Trubisky, it would be Shurmur. That’s why he has to be their target if Helfrich is out.
