A bombshell report dropped this week saying the Chicago Bears planned to fire Matt Nagy this week and informed him of the decision on Monday.
This report came from Mark Konkol, A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
That meant there was credibility behind the news, even if it did not come from a national NFL reporter.
This served as a huge distraction and the report was never confirmed.
Nagy said he had no idea about an impending firing and there was never any response from the front office.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently got a scoop that says the Bears were shocked by the report as well.
Where it stands with Matt Nagy before today's game vs. Detroit: George McCaskey and Ted Phillips both told him this week's report was a "complete lie", per sources. Nagy has not been told by anyone he's being fired. McCaskey spoke to team Weds, and told players what he told Nagy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 25, 2021
George McCaskey is the chairman of the Bears and would obviously know if he himself planned to fire the head coach.
Yet the fact he even had to tell the players the report was a lie serves as a distraction during what has been a disappointing season.
Sticking With Nagy, For Now
The Bears have been around for a century and have never fired a coach during a season.
This is an old-school franchise and that tradition may remain if they have no plans to fire him at this point following a five-game losing streak.
Perhaps a loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving could sway opinions in the building.
1. Matt Nagy is 3-7 this season
He's 0-4 out of the bye week
He's 1-6 against the Packers
His team has averaged 19.4 ppg since 2019
Justin Fields has been sacked 32 timesThis is coaching malpractice. #Bears
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) November 21, 2021
Still, there is no reason to expect the Bears to change their ways in 2021.
Konkol likely got this news from a trusted source and decided to report it.
However, if Nagy was not told he was going to be fired Monday then someone within the organization was given bad information, which was then passed on to the journalist.
It would be a shock if Nagy returns in 2022.
That fact means the rest of the season could get ugly if the losing continues alongside the rumors.
NEXT: Full Extent Of Justin Fields' Rib Injury Revealed