The Chicago Bears were an absolute disaster on offense during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
And it is so easy to think of excuses.
It was Justin Fields‘ first start and he had to do it in a brutal environment on the road.
But let’s be realistic here.
Head coach Matt Nagy did him no favors and this has been a recurring theme ever since he arrived.
Dan Orlovsky said yesterday's gameplan from Matt Nagy was the "worst I've ever seen in my life."
Your friendly reminder that Dan Orlovsky played on the 0-16 Lions in 2008.
If he says it's bad, it's really bad.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) September 27, 2021
Fields finished the day going 6/20 for 68 yards and was sacked nine times for a combined loss of 67 yards.
All in all, the Bears finished the day with 47 total yards.
That is just embarrassing and someone owes Mitchell Trubisky an apology.
No Plan At All
Fields is a dynamic quarterback seen as the franchise savior in Chicago.
So it was a bit curious to see him in gadget formations at the start of the season.
While he has the ability to run, he is not a Lamar Jackson-type in the sense where running is a key part of his game.
Then came his first start in Week 3 when the plan seemed to be having Fields stand in the pocket waiting to get hit.
The plays were not creative, he lacked protection, and was just waiting to get teed off on by Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.
Garrett even said as much himself.
Mike Florio relayed this conversation he had with the Browns' Myles Garrett on NBC last night– pic.twitter.com/afV6iM6lxX
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) September 27, 2021
This is a rookie quarterback who is going to hold onto the ball too long because that is what rookies do.
Nagy made zero adjustments, even though he knew Fields would be part of a gameplan eventually when the young man was drafted earlier this year.
Did Nagy help Fields by using his running backs?
Not quite, as David Montgomery finished with 10 carries for 34 yards.
The Defining Moment
Players never want to feel like their coach is holding them back from victory.
Well that is what happened in the third quarter on Sunday.
The Bears defense had been playing tough, inspired football all day and Fields had actually led the offense down to the Browns’ four-yard line.
A blown pass interference call helped, but nonetheless the Bears faced a fourth-and-two with four yards to go for a touchdown.
The score was 13-3 and this was a huge chance to not only give Fields confidence, but to get back into the game in general.
Nagy kicked a field goal to make it 13-6 and the Browns answered with a quick touchdown drive to make it 20-6.
Fans who thought his play-calling was too conservative may have turned off the game once he opted for the field goal.
The bizarre thing about the situation is that Nagy is not some rookie coach.
He is coaching for his job and limiting Fields, who is a dynamic player, should only hurt his job security.
Why not let the rookie air it out against a tough Browns team?
He did it once and a huge penalty was called.
That is what happens when chances are taken.
Nagy not only chickened out, but just never gave his rookie quarterback a chance to succeed.
If this story sounds familiar, just wonder what Trubisky is thinking about up in Buffalo.
NEXT: Justin Fields Has A Rough Day In First Career NFL Start