Matt Nagy was expertly trained on how to draft quarterbacks
One of the predominant questions with eleven games left is whether or not the Chicago Bears might be thinking about finding a new quarterback in 2020. Mitch Trubisky, to this point, has been a disappointment with just three touchdown passes through the first five weeks. He looks too much like the player he was at the start of 2018. One who’s uncertain, cautious, and constantly seems overloaded by what he sees. This isn’t the time to bail on him, but if nothing changes by December? Head coach Matt Nagy will have a decision to make.
What many people fear is giving GM Ryan Pace another shot at finding the right guy. His credibility at finding a good quarterback is not looking good at the moment. He’s the one who signed Mike Glennon and the guy who traded up to get Trubisky, bypassing Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in the process. Some people are wondering if he deserves another chance at this point. This is where the presence of Nagy becomes important.
Pace was basically working by himself back in 2017. Head coach John Fox offered nothing of value in finding a quarterback. The man had a deep defensive background and had never drafted a notable quarterback in his entire coaching tenure. This time around, he’ll have Nagy in his ear. One cannot understate how valuable this could be. Not just because the man was once a quarterback himself, but also because he’s been groomed by one of the best quarterback evaluators in NFL history.
Matt Nagy comes from the Andy Reid school of QB evals
There have been plenty of head coaches with a good track record for evaluating quarterbacks. However, none of them can honestly touch Andy Reid. The longtime head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs has perfected the art. He drafted Donovan McNabb in 1999 who went on to become a six-time Pro Bowler. He drafted Nick Foles in 2012 and the QB eventually became a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl MVP. Last but not least comes Patrick Mahomes, the reigning NFL MVP.
One might argue that while that’s impressive, Reid is who he is. He can’t possibly pass that gift on to his understudies, right? Not so fast. As it turns out, several Reid disciples have actually had considerable success at drafting quarterbacks over the past several years.
Steve Spagnuolo
- Sam Bradford
Ron Rivera
- Cam Newton
John Harbaugh
- Joe Flacco
- Tyrod Taylor
- Lamar Jackson
Doug Pederson
- Carson Wentz
This offers legitimate hope that Nagy and Pace can work together to find somebody who fits what they want to do. This provided they come to the conclusion Trubisky is a lost cause. It hasn’t gotten that far yet. Still, it’s nice to have at least some hope that the Bears could get it right the second time.