Matt Nagy Defending His Decision to Kneel Before Game-Winning FG Attempt is Nothing But Stubbornness
By Michael Luciano
Even Eddy Piñeiro, who had come into this game having made nine of his 10 field goals on the year, couldn't save the Chicago Bears in crunch time. Piñeiro couldn't replicate his dagger against Denver in Week 2, missing a potential game-winning 41-yard kick as the Bears fell at home to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Bears head coach Matt Nagy was swamped with criticism after he neglected to run the ball to get a closer attempt at the kick, instead kneeling for Piñeiro's try from 41. Nagy was not repentant about his puzzling decision, saying he would do it again in a heartbeat.
Bears coach Matt Nagy on decision to kneel before missed FG: "I would do it again a thousand times" https://t.co/dA29luNHTs pic.twitter.com/GumHnsu3yo
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 28, 2019
Look, Matt. I get that you're pissed, and changing your opinion on it would sound flaky, but this was an inexcusable move. And sure, a 41-yard field goal should probably be automatic for an NFL kicker, but everyone is aware of the Bears' kicking situation, regardless if it has improved this year.
What makes matters worse is the fact that David Montgomery finally broke out. The rookie ran for 135 yards on 27 carries, so taking the ball out of his hands was nothing short of odd.
Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy, quoted in NBC's Sunday Night Football halftime press release, regarding Matt Nagy's decision to take a knee: "Matt Nagy, have some confidence in your run game. You might not score, but you’ll get closer. Don’t rely on your field goal kicker.”
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) October 28, 2019
Apparently a career game from Montgomery wasn't enough to earn his coach's trust late in the game, as Nagy chose to push his chips to the center and bet it all on Piñeiro's right leg. Coaching moves like that (and Mitchell Trubisky regressing to the mean) are why the Bears are sliding out of the NFC North picture.