Chicago Bears: 5 Observations from embarrassing Week 7 loss
3. Nagy should hand over playcalling to Mark Helfrich
As I wrote at the start, the Nagy/Chicago Bears fans’ honeymoon might have ended with this loss. Last season was great, but there were whispers of criticism earlier this season. Those whispers are now loud yells after this game.
Some criticize the playcalling. Do they have a point? Well, there were just seven run plays called in the game, four of them in the first half. Also, there were some questionable plays called on third down.
On a couple of occasions, the Bears had third-and-short situations. Each time, pass plays were called. Some were even deep passes. It appears that Nagy either doesn’t know how to handle the running game or he doesn’t have faith in the running game.
Trubisky, with all his troubles, dropped back 56 times to pass. A 56-7 run-to-pass ration is a recipe for disaster, and that’s exactly what happened. David Montgomery had only two carries in the game. In the opening game of the season, he carried the ball only seven times and the fans wondered why out loud. The wonder is a lot louder today.
The big reason the Bears got rid of Jordan Howard was the notion that he wasn’t a fit in Nagy’s system. I agreed and still agree with that idea. The problem is that the Bears went out and got Mike Davis and Montgomery but neither has been used much.
Davis averages 1.8 rushes per game and has missed the last two games. Montgomery averages 11.8 rushes per game. That is less than the 15.6 carries Howard had last season with the Bears. If Montgomery is a better fit for the offense, why not use him?
The day after the game, Nagy spoke on the unbalance in the playcalling, per NFL.com:
"“I know we need to run the ball more. I’m not an idiot. I realize that…I totally understand that. We need to (run the ball). I never go into a game saying I want to throw the ball 54 times. I would love to go into a game and say I want to run the ball 54 times, but…that just hasn’t happened, so this is what I have to answer to.”"
It might be time for Nagy to give up the playcalling to offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Nagy also said he didn’t have an answer to why the running game isn’t working. Helfrich is like Nagy, an offensive-minded coach who likes to use creative ways to playcalling. Nagy and Helfrich could both develop the game plan but Nagy needs to let Helfrich call the plays.
If Nagy continues to make the calls and the offense continues to struggle, Nagy will put himself deeper into a hole. He’s been creative with his handling of the team so far. How he handles the team during his first real difficult period is critical if he wants to turn things around.