Through three weeks, the “Matt Nagy effect” has yet to set in for sophomore signal-caller Mitch Trubisky. After yet another dud in Week 3 (220 yards, 1 INT), Trubisky ranks ahead of only Sam Bradford, Sam Darnold, and Dak Prescott in FPs among three-game starters. Despite Nagy promising an “aggressive, vertical offense,” and oodles of athletic pass-catching weapons, Trubsiky has averaged only 5.7 yards per attempt. This once promising QB-HC marriage has begun dreadfully, and all Bears’ weapons should be downgraded in fantasy accordingly.
While we’ve nailed a fair share of 2018 Predictions out of the park thus far (hi, Pat Mahomes), our lofty expectations for Trubisky and the overall Bears offense are an early swing-and-miss. Whether Nagy’s play-calling or Trubisky’s play is the primary fault, the expected deep-centric offense has been a pop-gun attack.
Supposed “chess piece” Tarik Cohen has been even more underutilized than last year. Trey Burton, who was bound to streak downfield with his 4.6 speed in the expected “Travis Kelce role,” has yet to top 60 yards. Speedster Taylor Gabriel has seen little more than check-down screens, while target-hog Allen Robinson has barely been sent downfield (even if he’s netted a whopping 28 looks early-on). Even Jordan Howard is running into brick walls and finding minimal scoring chances with defenses completely unthreatened by Trubisky.
Granted, Nagy’s scheme is very complex. Growing pains were inevitable… but to this extent is frightening. The lack of creativity and verticality has been a huge concern, as has Trubisky’s lack of improvement despite a “QB-Whispering” HC and massive arsenal additions. All Bears players need to fall down Rest of Season Big Boards, though Cohen and Burton make intriguing Buy Low candidates considering their usage seems bound to spike.
