Matt Nagy, the former head coach of the Chicago Bears, must be experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as he watches Ben Johnson lead the team toward the playoffs. Since leaving the Bears in 2022, Nagy has found considerable success as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he has celebrated two Super Bowl victories. However, the memories of his tumultuous tenure in Chicago linger, particularly the promise of his initial season in 2018 when he earned Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bears to a division title and a near-playoff victory.
Unfortunately, Nagy’s time with the Bears soured in subsequent years, culminating in his dismissal after failing to replicate the success of that first season. Several factors contributed to this decline, including the departure of defensive mastermind Vic Fangio, as well as tensions with key players like quarterback Mitch Trubisky and wide receiver Allen Robinson. Reflecting on his tenure, Nagy admitted to Dan Pompei of The Athletic that his most significant mistake was a lack of courage in surrounding himself with differing perspectives.
To better understand his shortcomings, Nagy enlisted the help of therapist and consultant Dena Okmin for a project titled “Blind Spots.” Through interviews with nearly 50 people who worked alongside him, Okmin compiled a 45-page report detailing Nagy’s blind spots, a challenging yet enlightening experience for the former head coach. Nagy acknowledged that he would take a different approach if he were to become a head coach again, making it a priority to hire assistants willing to challenge him—a stark contrast to his previous method of building a staff.
During his tenure in Chicago, Nagy often filled coaching positions with individuals who lacked substantial credibility, opting for younger or unemployed candidates who were less likely to question his decisions. Notably, he brought in his friend Brad Childress as a senior assistant, which may have negatively impacted the team’s dynamics. Many believe Childress influenced Nagy’s view of Trubisky, ultimately damaging their rapport and contributing to the team’s disintegration. Unfortunately, Nagy’s journey serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of diverse viewpoints and open communication in leadership roles.
In contrast, the current Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, appears to be learning from Nagy’s past mistakes. By intentionally hiring assistants outside his network, Johnson is fostering an environment that values competing perspectives, contributing to the team’s apparent ability to adjust quickly and effectively.
As Nagy contemplates his past choices, one can hope that he will leverage these lessons in any future coaching endeavors, recognizing that collaboration and candid feedback are vital to success in the ever-challenging landscape of professional football.