Tag: matt nagy

5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Chiefs

Justin Fields returns to his old self, Roschon Johnson breaks out, and Matt Nagy gets cute in our bold predictions for Bears vs. Chiefs.

The NFL’s best takes on the NFL’s worst this Sunday, at least if you’re still paying attention to last year’s results. The Chicago Bears (0-2), who had the worst record in 2022, travel west to take on reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.

For the Bears, it’s a chance to right the ship and, in a weird way, get back to a sense of normalcy. Chicago has had one of the strangest weeks any NFL team has had in recent memory, with comments made by Justin Fields that shined a negative light on the coaching staff, the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams, and equipment getting stolen from Soldier Field. Suiting up to play a football game might be just what they need.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have had a slow start to the season but still have plenty of talent across the board to remain a powerhouse in the AFC. This matchup against the Bears could be just the push they need to break out of their funk. Or could the Bears defy all odds and shock the world with a victory at Arrowhead Stadium?

Whatever happens, we’re in for a ride, one way or another. Here are our bold predictions for Sunday’s game.

Matt Nagy spoke about balance in Chiefs’ offensive playcalling

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke about the team’s offensive playcalling balance during last Sunday’s victory. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs offense hasn’t shown the same flare and dominance in the first two weeks most commonly displayed during the Patrick Mahomes era. The team has been in contention in both games but was mostly bailed out by the exceptional play of the defense.

The Chiefs are starting this year with Matt Nagy returning to the role he left before becoming head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2018. After years of success under Eric Bieniemy, who has since taken over as the coordinator in Washington, there has been a drastic change in production. Chiefs spoke with reporters on Wednesday after practice to address the unit’s slow start and relying on Mahomes’ arm.

“Well, every game, you always have an idea of what you think you want to do,” Nagy explained. “Then, you get in the game, you got to adjust to what’s working and what’s not working. But I think Coach Reid does such a great job since the day he started coaching and being able to really formulate how we want to win, start off that way.

“And then, personnel-wise, and whatever it is schematically, and if the run game is going, then we’ll go ahead and get to that if the pass game is going to just so happens, there’s been a few more passes recently. I think if you know Coach Reid, that probably doesn’t shock you. But that’s, that’s, that’s who we are. And we want to be able to be balanced. And we got great players to be able to do both.”

The Chiefs aren’t in panic mode, but there are some signs of concern, considering the offensive firepower on the roster. Defenses around the league are constantly adjusting and putting a target on the reigning Super Bowl champions.

5 things to know ahead of Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 3

From Ryan Poles and Matt Nagy facing their former teams to series history, here’s what to know ahead of the Bears’ Week 3 game vs. Chiefs.

It’s been an interesting week for the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall ahead of their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback Justin Fields admitted he felt that he’s being overcoached and he’ll try to play to his strengths more in Sunday’s game, head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that starting left tackle Braxton Jones has been placed on injured reserve with no clear timetable for his return and defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned from his position to address his health.

As nightmarish as these last few days have been for Chicago, it may do some good to look ahead to Week 3 ‘s matchup between the Bears and Chiefs.

Here are five things to know heading into Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 3.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy shared thoughts on receivers’ dropped passes

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy shared his thoughts on the #Chiefs’ dropped passes during Kansas City’s Week 1 loss to the #Lions. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs recognized the offensive troubles during Week 1 as they fell in the regular season opener against the Detroit Lions. The critical drops, route mistakes, and absence of Travis Kelce were significant factors in only posting 20 points.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy suffered a loss in his first official game in that role since the 2017 season. The rough start is hoped to be a thing of the past as the team focuses on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nagy addressed his thoughts on the dropped passes and encouraged his unit Thursday during his press conference.

“I mean, there’s gonna be some of the plays where a guy is running full speed, and he’s running a slant route, and… there’s no one on him,” Nagy explained. “It’s not contested, but it hits his hands. But it’s a difficult catch. I think there’s levels to different types of catches, and everybody sees it differently, until you’re the wide receiver and you have to actually run out there and try to catch the ball and have somebody get ready to hit you have somebody on your back.

“It’s not easy. But these guys are professionals, and they know that. And I think that’s, again, I keep going back to who we are, our identity in that room as an offense. And really, it’s a team in general. It starts with Coach (Andy) Reid; we believe in and trust one another. And we’re excited to get back out and show what we’re able to do.”

Patrick Mahomes’ first opening-week interception was a pick-six, serving as a vital moment in the game considering that it was off the fingertips of an intended receiver. The unit is optimistic that those errors with Kelce in the lineup are nonexistent moving forward.

Andy Reid on working with Matt Nagy vs. Lions: “It was just as if (Eric Bieniemy) were there”

#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praised Matt Nagy’s communication skills on Monday, telling reporters it was “just as if (Eric Bieniemy) were there”

Eric Bieniemy’s decision to seek greener pastures with the Washington Commanders was a key moment of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason. With one week of the regular season officially in the books, head coach Andy Reid is settling in with new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Reid spoke about Nagy’s first game in his new role on Monday and told reporters that he didn’t feel like he missed a beat with the former quarterback on the headset.

“Yeah, we had great communication, I mean, that’s how we go about it,” Reid explained. “It was just as if EB (former Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy) were there. It’s the same type of communication that we had during the game. I thought that part was relatively smooth. I didn’t have a problem with the way that went.”

With some luck, the Chiefs may be able to replicate the success they found with Bieniemy on their coaching staff as they lean on Nagy for more input in the coming weeks.

NFL fans blasted new Chiefs OC Matt Nagy after terrible play call on key fourth quarter 3rd-and-1

The Chiefs really missed Eric Bieniemy against the Lions.

After the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions, 21-20, in a tough Week 1 loss, many NFL fans pointed to a terrible play call on 3rd-and-1 schemed up by new Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

On the play call in question, the Chiefs opted not to just run the ball or do a quarterback sneak. Instead, the team ran a jet sweep with rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice that got blown up behind the line of scrimmage by Lions defender Josh Paschal.

The play baffled NFL fans who felt the Chiefs could have just popped it in for the possible first down, rather than put the ball further behind the first-down marker and take a risk like this.

Nagy used to run silly plays like this when he was the put-upon head coach of the Chicago Bears, and you can bet folks recognized this kind of tomfoolery from the new Chiefs play caller.

The Chiefs probably miss former play caller Eric Bieniemy right about now, as he’s now running the offensive show with the Washington Commanders.

If Kansas City keeps underwhelming on offense, Nagy will shoulder a good bit of the blame.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy praised progress made by WR Richie James

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy praised the progress of veteran wide receiver Richie James in his comments to the media. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs surprised many critics with the decision to keep seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster. The options at quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ disposal have never been this varied as he looks to build on his 2022 MVP season.

The added firepower for Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has opened his ideas further with specific players. A player in particular that caught his eye is offseason signee Richie James. Nagy spoke with reporters on Monday about James’s impressive progress since joining the team.

“Yeah, for me, having met Richie when he first got here and seeing him in OTAs, what he transferred to training camp, and where he’s at now is just a great knowledge of the offense being in the right spot at the right time,” said Nagy, “And so as a quarterback, or as a coach, when you have somebody like that you trust him. And then, on top of that, he’s very talented. You saw that in a preseason game with being able to go downfield, make great catches, etc. So he’s got some veteran experience that he brings to that room as well.”

Nagy will see James used on special teams with coordinator Dave Toub this season, creating more flexibility opportunities with personnel in the game plan.

Chiefs Matt Nagy wants to see RB Isiah Pacheco in live action

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy wants to see running back Isiah Pacheco in-game action.

The Kansas City Chiefs preseason schedule will conclude this Saturday after their home matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Chiefs will look for which players will make the final cuts and determine if proven starters are ready for another Super Bowl run.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is charged with making sure the unit maintains the dominance it exhibited last season. A significant part of that chemistry is running back Isiah Pacheco, who continues to recover from off-season surgery. Pacheco’s status for this weekend hasn’t been determined, and Nagy told reporters Tuesday his hopes for the expected starting halfback.

“In the end, when Coach (Andy Reid) gets together with us and talks through all the depth chart stuff,” Nagy explained. “Who’s playing, who’s not playing, who’s doing this, who’s doing that? I think the guys would tell you, Pacheco would probably tell you, it’s important to get hit a few times. And so, there’s always you want to make sure that, you know, for him not being hit yet in practice, per se.

“Going in there for the first time, I think, I mean, we’ve all seen him get hit pretty good. I think he can handle several hits. So whatever coach (Andy Reid) ends up doing, it doesn’t affect him really either way for week one. But I always think it’s good to get a couple of hits early before you get to the season.”

Pacheco has continued to participate in drills during practices and remains ready whenever his number is called to play. If he does play on Saturday, it will be a relief for the second-year running back and the coaching staff.

Matt Nagy on competition to be Chiefs’ fastest receiver

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy commented on who the #Chiefs’ fastest receiver is after Tuesday’s practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs offense has been made famous because of the speed in its receiver’s room over the years. Andy Reid’s signature style throughout his coaching career and the theme throughout training camp is playing fast.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy understands the concept very well and is focused on retaining players that fit the mold at wide receiver. Nagy spoke with reporters on Tuesday after practice revealing his thoughts on who is the fastest receiver on the team.

“I can tell you, who’s gonna say he’s the fastest, MVS (Marquez Valdes-Scantling); he’s gonna say that I know that for sure,” Nagy explained. “But there’s probably about two or three other guys in there that are going to be right there with him. So I don’t know, football fast versus the clock fast at the Combine on the track, etc.

“But I think we have some good speed out there that can take the top off. It can affect defensive coverages with the different types of cover to cover four shell they want to play. Tyreek (Hill), I mean, that’s another level of speed that this league really doesn’t have. Some guys may say that but to reach different levels. So we really liked the guys we have in the speed we have.”

The Chiefs feature multiple receivers specializing in speed and fit, along with the team culture. Final cuts will be interesting to see who the team will retain because the numbers game will come into effect.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy admits there’s not much game planning in preseason

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy told the media about his expectations for the #Chiefs’ first preseason tilt after practice on Wednesday. | from: @WesleyRoesch

The Kansas City Chiefs usually take a traditional approach in the preseason, allowing the starters to play roughly one-quarter of the first game, two quarters in the second, and two to three in the third.

It’s a tried-and-true method that has worked well for the team, but not all teams adopt the same strategy as Kansas City’s. Some teams, like the Baltimore Ravens who actively hold the record for most preseason games won in a row with 23, take the preseason a bit more seriously in terms of winning the actual game.

For the Chiefs, preseason games are less about game planning, and more about getting players much-needed reps and finding out where they fit in their respective schemes.

“We don’t really care about that,” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy when asked whether he wants to know if they’ll be playing against their opponents’ starters in the preseason. “You can go back and see with the history of some of these defensive coordinators, head coaches, etc., you can see usually what they do in previous years.

“Regardless, for us, there are a lot of spots out there. We’re looking at the inside linebacker, the DB [defensive back], the corner, the safety – it’s not so much numbers, we’re not necessarily game planning – I don’t think many teams game plan so much anymore.”

Of course, the Chiefs still want to win these games regardless of whether they actually matter, but the preseason is ultimately an opportunity to get the veterans loose and the rookies some time on an NFL gridiron. And if that strategy works for a team that has won the Super Bowl in two of the last four years, who are we to question it?

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