Chicago Bears are building something different with Matt Nagy
Chicago Bears are collaborating to change and build success
The Matt Nagy trend doesn’t stop for the Chicago Bears with the quarterback. Collaboration was the key phrase for this year’s offseason, but it seems Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy have been on the same page from day one.
Cordarrelle Patterson is a one-person wrecking crew for what he brings to an NFL team. He is an elite special teams player, but he still offers value as an offensive weapon. Matt Nagy brought Anthony Miller in during the 2018 NFL Draft. Miller is a ball of passion. The love he has for the game has gotten Miller into trouble, but his talent is undeniable. Anthony Miller was not only a highly productive receiver in college, but he was a return man as well.
Injuries have kept Miller from returning the ball, but there is no question that he is good at returning kicks. Patterson can cover punts just as well as he can return kicks. The Chicago Bears and Matt Nagy knew what he wanted to do to replace Patterson. Not only did the team sign Marquise Goodwin, who has kick return experience, but the Bears also drafted Khalil Herbert and Dazz Newsome, who have experience in the return game.
Special teams are crucial to success. As Chicago Bears fans, Devin Hester and Charles Tillman are all I need to say. Most forget that Tillman wanted to play special teams even as a starter on defense, but that is an entirely different conversation. I suppose I could have brought up Cody Parkey and Robbie Gould, but I didn’t want to give you any anxiety.
Defense and special teams have been the foundation of the Chicago Bears. The offense is now becoming the focus. 13 offensive players have been drafted in the past three seasons compared to seven defensive players.
Sure, we all have known that the Chicago Bears defense is pretty good, and they need more focus on offense. However, that is a drastic shift from the 2012 to 2014 Chicago Bears drafts that have been heavy on defense. Ryan Pace completely rebuilt the defense from trades, free agent signings, and four players in the draft from 2015 to 2018. The era of defense wins championships might finally be over in Chicago.