Chicago Bears have a clear quarterback problem on their hands
If Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy liked either of his quarterbacks, he’d be naming one the starter right about now.
Instead, the Chicago Bears boss is playing coy with the media and his Week 1 opponents in the Detroit Lions, saying he won’t name a starter for the opener. Per ESPN:
Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?
“For us, we like where they are at, but that’s an internal question for our coaches,” Nagy said. “That’s more gamesmanship than anything. But we know there can definitely be improvement for both of them. They are making good decisions. There are times they are making good throws. There are times they are making throws they’d like to have back.
“I’ll put it this way: Intentionally, I’m not going to give you any direction right now.”
In the same media scrum, Nagy stated both Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles have had good and bad moments in camp. It’s been a tight battle, and one neither is pulling away in. That’s a problem.
While they won’t admit it for obvious reasons, the Bears have no faith in Trubisky. Nor should they. When the team declined his fifth-year option back in May, the statement was made. Chicago doesn’t believe in his future with the team and barring a miracle, this will be his last campaign in the Windy City.
Read: Washington President Jason Wright Says NFL Boycotts Are Possible
Conversely, general manager Ryan Pace showed plenty of faith in Foles. The Bears sent a fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the former Super Bowl MVP, landing the veteran to compete with Trubisky. An important note, though, is Foles has guaranteed money for the next three years on his deal, giving Chicago incentive to start him both now and at least through next season.
Yet Nagy has decided to play with the emotions of Bears fans, not allowing for any idea as to which man will get tabbed the starter for Week 1. There’s little game strategy truly in play, considering both quarterbacks are middling arm talents with a reliance on the run. If there’s any difference, it’s in Trubisky’s mobility and Foles’ gumption to throw into tight spots.
Ultimately, though, Nagy’s indecision is a decision in its own way. The Bears aren’t enamored with either option, and realize it’ll likely take proverbial smoke and mirrors to score consistently in 2020.
