If Matt Nagy had his way, Andy Dalton would’ve remained the Bears’ starting quarterback earlier this season, according to a new report. Per Hub Arkush, Justin Fields was named the starter for Week 5 and beyond and it came from team chairman George McCaskey, and the order went against Nagy’s wishes as head coach.
Nagy was ready to turn back to his plan of sticking with Andy Dalton, but McCaskey wanted the team’s first-round quarterback under center moving forward.
“Bears chairman George McCaskey directed the Bears coaching staff to name Justin Fields the permanent starting quarterback before the Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, multiple sources tell Shaw Local’s, Hub Arkush.
It’s unclear how the directive was given to the coaching staff, whether there was a conversation in person between McCaskey and Bears head coach Matt Nagy, or if general manager Ryan Pace was directed to give the instructions to Nagy. The move was against the wishes of Nagy, per multiple sources.”
This development is just another embarrassing chapter in the books of Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace with the Chicago Bears.
Per Dan Pompei of The Athletic, team chairman George McCaskey also dispelled rumors that Matt Nagy would be fired following the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions.
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Multiple reports sated Nagy was already informed that the Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit would be his last with the Bears after the team’s 3-7 start to the season, including five-straight losses.
After the report, Matt Nagy denied that he’d been told that he’ll be fired after the Lions game on Thursday in his Tuesday news conference.
Also on Tuesday, he stated veteran Andy Dalton will start at quarterback in place of injured rookie Justin Fields against the Lions Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.
Fields exited Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Ravens with an injury to his ribs. Dalton entered the game and completed 11 of 23 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns.
