Ex-Player: Justin Fields Thriving Without Nagy Was No Coincidence

Last Sunday was a big game for the Chicago Bears. Not just because they needed to win, but also because it marked a rare opportunity. To see how quarterback Justin Fields would look on offense without head coach Matt Nagy having any direct input during a game. Many wondered if it might validate many theories that he is the biggest problem with this offense. Specifically why Fields looks so constrained at times. Those people got the results they expected. Despite a losing effort, Fields played the best games of his young career. He completed 70% of his passes for 175 yards, a touchdown, and an interception that wasn't really his fault. He also rushed for 103 yards and another touchdown. The best rushing performance by a Bears quarterback since Bobby Douglass in 1973. Beyond the flashy displays of his talent, what stood out the most was how much calmer and in command he seemed.

Could that be just a coincidence?

Former NFL defensive end Marcus Spears doesn't think so. He wasn't asked about it on ESPN Get Up and made it crystal clear that he is not one who believes in coincidences. Fields struggles all season and then the moment Nagy is gone, the kid just happens to play like a professional QB?

"What do you think, G? Listen, man. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! He played well because Matt Nagy wasn't there, okay? And Nagy can talk about 'our offense.' It'll be somebody else's offense in the near future. Hopefully, they can use Justin Fields' skillset and tools. He played with freedom. Like he said, he played on time and played with rhythm. I don't know why Justin Fields felt like he had the reins taken off and he could do more without Matt Nagy being there. But it happened, and we not going to act like it didn't. And we not going to act like we won't acknowledge that it didn't happen. It happened. We saw him be the best player that he's been all season when his head coach wasn't available."

Perhaps what stood out the most was how the offense unfolded in that game. For the first time, the Bears actually leaned into Fields' strengths. More rolling pockets, more bootlegs, more play action, and more designed quarterback runs. It looked like a game plan that actually made sense for once. A game plan designed for Fields and not Andy Dalton. A criticism that lingered about the Bears offense for the past several weeks. One that also happened to disappear the moment Nagy is out of the picture. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Justin-Fields-Best-Plays-From-Week-8-vs.-49ers-NFL-2021-Highlights.mp4"][/video]

Justin Fields will have to survive nine more games with Nagy

It doesn't look like the Bears are going to fire the head coach. At least not during the season. They never have and aren't likely to start now. That said, signs continue pointing towards the head coach being in serious trouble. The offense is dead last in both passing yards and total yards. They're also 31st in scoring. It is a chore to watch it operate every Sunday. While the young QB has shown improvement, it doesn't sound like that alone is going to save Nagy from his fate. He needs to win games. Something he promised ownership he could do when they decided to retain him back in January. Instead, the Bears are 3-5 and have lost their last three games by double-digits. This with Pittsburgh and Baltimore being their next two opponents. It is hard not to feel like Nagy is a dead man walking regardless of what Justin Fields does. Try to imagine if the QB struggles up the coach's return too.

This is almost a no-win situation for Nagy.

Sadly, it's a situation he contributed to. His offensive system in general has been slapped with tags of being bland and too rigid. He made matters worse when he chose not to give Fields any work with the #1 offense in training camp. Something that inevitably led to chemistry issues during the season. Every button he seems to push is the wrong one. Almost everybody is tired of it.