Bears coach Matt Nagy is handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor
CHICAGO — Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy has decided to hand over play-calling duties, shifting those responsibilities to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor in an attempt to spark an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories.
Nagy made the announcement Friday after practice at Halas Hall and fielded questions related to the move for 17 minutes.
“How can we be better as a staff? How can we be better as a team?” Nagy said. “As you all know, it’s very, very important to me to make sure that I’m doing everything I possibly can to make the best decision for the Chicago Bears. And I think right now that’s where we’re at. This allows me to really look at all three phases from the head coaching position and focus on that.”
Asked whether the decision was a trial or permanent, Nagy said, “I hate to say anything is permanent but we’ll just try to really focus on this week with the Vikings and keep it at that.”
The Bears coach called it “a gut feeling” when explaining why he felt now was the time to make the change.
“It’s just kind of where we’re at,” Nagy said. “You get a feel and you understand, OK, this is where our offense is at right now and we’ve been struggling. And for different reasons. I don’t think it’s one particular reason. But if there’s something that can help spark us (let’s try it). Or sometimes it’s just a change-up. It’s like bringing in, for instance, a different style of pitcher. You have one pitcher who throws one way. Now you have another pitcher who throws another way. Sometimes change can be good in that regard. … I feel like it’s the best thing for this team.”
Nagy admitted it wasn’t an easy call for him and that he will miss the playcalling role. But he’s hopeful the change will also free him up to have better oversight of clock management and to have more time to use his leadership skills.
“Sometimes when you’re in the position that we’re in right now,” Nagy said, “you want to make sure that you’re looking for solutions. You can always talk about execution. You can always talk about teaching. You can always talk about all facets of the game. But this (change) here and seeing what can come from it, I just think it’s the right thing to do. We’ll see where it goes.”
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