The expectations for Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles’ first start of the season in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts may have been a little too high. After leading the Bears to three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 16-point come-from-behind win over the Falcons in Week 3, it was supposed to be more of the same last Sunday.
It wasn’t. In fact, the offense was hard to watch.
Foles went 26-of-42 for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception, with most of his production coming in garbage time when the Colts were protecting a multi-score lead.
Chicago’s passing game was out of rhythm and, at times, just looked sluggish.
According to coach Matt Nagy, the Bears offense is still ironing some wrinkles now that there’s a new starter behind center.
“Could we have played a lot better on Sunday?” said Nagy. “Without a doubt. We know that. Is this going to take a little bit of time? Yes, it is. It is going to take some time, and so that is where us as coaches and as players, as long as we understand that but also know that we need to get on this as soon as we can—whenever that is—and score points. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Foles, too, is confident the Bears offense will find its comfort zone as the season marches on.
“Obviously, we’ve known each other for a long time,” Foles said of his relationship with Nagy. “but that was just his first time calling a game for me, ever. It takes time to build that relationship on the field and obviously being with new players [and in a] new place.”
Without the benefit of a preseason or traditional training camp setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foles is playing catch-up at a time when there isn’t much room for error. Every game — every quarter — matters.
“All I can do is hone in on this moment right now,” said Foles. “It alleviates all those anxieties and stressors that we all as human beings experience; even if we don’t talk about them, we do. We, as professional athletes, experience them just as much. That’s really helped me throughout my career and life situations as well.”