The Chicago Bears had a pretty solid day on Sunday when they defeated the Detroit Lions 24-14. A week after they had one of the worst offensive outputs in recent NFL history, they managed to score touchdowns on their first two possessions and rack up 373 yards of offense.
A lot of that can be contributed to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who took over play-calling duties from head coach Matt Nagy. While Nagy didn’t announce this was officially happening beforehand (which is classic Nagy), it became very clear based on the formations and calls that Lazor was running the show. Lazor’s dedication to the run game paid off as the Bears rushed 39 times for 188 yards.
Rookie quarterback Justin Fields also had a better day than his debut. He looked more comfortable in a game in which he went 11-of-17 for 209 yards and one interception. Fields was more game manager than playmaker but that’s what the Bears needed from him as he learns and grows. The experience of these games will, presumably, help him out greatly in the long run.
Nagy has made it clear in prior weeks that Andy Dalton, who has missed the last two weeks with a bone bruise, is still his No. 1 quarterback and would be the starter if healthy. A lot of Bears fans have been clamoring for Fields to take over so that their quarterback of the future can get in some much-needed reps. The fact that Fields was putting up some numbers that the team hasn’t seen in a while seems like it should have made Nagy think twice about whether or not he’s going to stick with Dalton no matter what.
Justin Fields on throws 15 or more yards down the field on Sunday: 5-for-7 for 172 yards.
That's the most such completions by a Bears QB since Week 9 of last season.
A much better day for the Bears' O.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 4, 2021
Matt Nagy is nothing if not stubborn, however, and he reiterated on Monday that Dalton is still his No. 1 quarterback if he is healthy.
"When Andy's healthy, he's our starter. Justin's the 2. Nick's the 3."
— Matt Nagy— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) October 4, 2021
As you might imagine, there were a lot of confused people wondering why Nagy is so intent on keeping Dalton as his starter when it seems like he’s finally got something going on offense with Fields in there. Is there a method to his madness or is he just mad?
Matt Nagy once again reiterated that Andy Dalton is still the starter when healthy.
He also praised Justin Fields for his big plays downfield and emphasized the need for more of those.
My advice: React less to what Nagy says on Monday and more to who actually plays Sunday.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 4, 2021
Matt Nagy’s stubbornness with keeping Andy Dalton as the #Bears starting QB could end up getting him fired down the line.
This is a very weird hill for him to die on. I don’t get being so against making Justin Fields the full-time starter.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 4, 2021
I think this whole Andy Dalton-Justin Fields thing is Matt Nagy trying to hold onto his last remaining piece of power in the #Bears offense. He's not calling plays anymore, so his biggest impact is who he names the starting QB. Egos often get in the way of good decisions.
— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) October 4, 2021
Ryan Clark with the perfect response to the Matt Nagy press conference. pic.twitter.com/ZoH36cKVAM
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) October 4, 2021
Nagy better hope that when he puts in Dalton again that the Bears look good on offense and win. Because if they don’t, there won’t be much room left for him to hide and plenty of people are going to come calling for his head. The Bears travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders this Sunday and we’ll have to wait and see who is under center.
