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Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons they can make a long playoff run

By Carlos Nazario

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears downs Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings as he holds the ball in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears downs Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings as he holds the ball in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images /

2. The coaching staff is top-notch

General manager Ryan Pace did an excellent job assembling the coaching staff. Hiring Nagy was a stroke of genius. After dealing with John Fox and his prehistoric offense, having an offensive mind like Nagy’s really paid off for the franchise.

That wasn’t Pace’s only great move. Even though he interviewed for the head coaching job and didn’t get it, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stayed in Chicago. He turned around a defense that gave up 50-point games like they were candy. It became a respectable, then a strong, defense.

This season, Fangio ran an elite defense. Yes, having Khalil Mack helped a great deal, but Fangio’s defensive schemes kept opponents off-balance. He was able to get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks even though his defense ran one of the fewest blitzes in the league. This offseason he may be in demand for a head coaching job.

In addition to Nagy and Fangio, Pace hired Mark Helfrich and Harry Hiestand to be the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Helfrich has the same offensive philosophy as Nagy. He served as head coach of the University of Oregon from 2013 to 2016. He is fond of dynamic play calling and is a perfect complement to Nagy.

Hiestand is on his second tenure with the Chicago Bears. He was with the franchise from 2005-2009. He had success building the offensive line before leaving for Notre Dame and succeeding there as well. He returned to Chicago and is improving the line once again.

This is a great coaching staff to lead the Bears through a long playoff run. They have the experience and the temperament to guide their players. Nagy, as the head coach, got the players to buy into what he and the other coaches wanted to do. They play hard and do just about anything they’re told, knowing that the coaches will lead them to where they want to be.

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