Matt Nagy Could Call An Old Friend To Help Save His Offense

Matt Nagy has tried to do it his way for three years now. It isn't working. His offense is broken. Finishes of 21st, 29th, and 26th have proven that much. It certainly didn't reflect well on him when it started to play better when Bill Lazor took over play-calling duties in December. The evidence is overwhelming. Nagy isn't the guy to run that side of the ball. Yet it's also clear he isn't happy with the system they were implementing with Mitch Trubisky. He wants to run the Andy Reid-style offense but can't do that because he sucks at it. Lazor has no background in that system. The only other person on the staff who does is John DeFilippo and his track record as an offensive coordinator isn't too hot either. So what does Nagy do? Well, if he is smart he'll get on the phone to place a call to an old friend.

That being Doug Pederson.

The Philadelphia Eagles made the momentous decision to fire their head coach despite winning the Super Bowl just three years ago and making the playoffs twice after that. The 2020 season was an exceedingly difficult one as the Eagles finished 4-11-1. With a rift forming between him and quarterback Carson Wentz, owner Jeff Lurie made the difficult choice to release Pederson. Now the 52-year old is available. Many feel he's destined for another head coaching job but that seems somewhat uncertain. Not because he is undeserving but because he arrived late to the process. Two spots are already filled in Jacksonville and New York. Another in Atlanta appears to have a favorite. That leaves Detroit, Houston, and Los Angeles as the remaining options. All three have quarterbacks who might love working with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDb1MGsyY5I&ab_channel=NFL

Matt Nagy needs to at least give him a phone call

If none of those jobs materialize, would Pederson consider a job in Chicago? He would instantly be offensive coordinator and probably associate head coach as well. He and Nagy worked together since they were assistants with the Eagles under Reid in 2009. They have a long working relationship together. Pederson also has a better track record calling plays. Philadelphia had the 7th, 14th, and 14th ranked offenses from 2017 to 2019. He turned Wentz into a Pro Bowler and Nick Foles into a Super Bowl MVP. While not what people might call a genius, his track record is far more established than Matt Nagy. If the Bears have designs on maybe drafting a QB, Pederson has already proven he can develop them.

Would he take such a job? It feels like a long shot.

The common belief is the former head coach is burnt out from his experience last year. Rather than jump right back into the pool, he may decide to recharge the batteries and start fresh in 2022. Still, the urge to be around the game can always flair up in a hurry. If he feels the itch to be on a sideline, the Bears might be able to lure him in with the obvious knowledge he could be immediately plucked next year for a head coaching job. Not that Nagy should care. His job is to find a way to improve his offense. Hiring Pederson should do that.