“We need to be creative in these exercises and make sure that the time it gives us to practice is used as much as we can in competitive periods,” said Nagy. “It’s hard to do it on the runs. It’s hard to do it in the meetings, even if it’s in person. But when we get a chance to go out, we’re evaluating those quarterbacks on every play. Not just throwing, but every checkup they do on the line of scrimmage, every bit of leadership that they show inside and outside the group, we are seeing how they react to a specific move in practice. “
The Bears’ first real practice is not expected to take place until mid-August. An agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association stipulates that teams will begin training camp with an acclimatization period from August 3 to 11 during which activities on the field will be limited to strength work and conditioning and tour sessions.
An acceleration period will be held on August 12 and 16, with teams authorized to carry out contactless practices that include drills 7 against 7, 9 against 7 and 11 against 11 between August 14 and 16, interspersing a day off players . Teams may conduct their first padded practice on August 17 and are limited to 14 padded practices from August 17 to Sept. 6)
Although Trubisky is expected to take the first reps in the Bears’ first practice, the competition will take place on a level playing field with both quarterbacks working with and against the same players and receiving the same number of repetitions.
“Those quarterbacks could be shooting at 2 and 3,” Nagy said. “But they are going to face the same competition so we can evaluate that accordingly.”
Knowing the importance of each representative on the training ground, Nagy is still in the process of finalizing the Bears’ practice schedule.
“Our coordinators are doing a great job right now as we sit here to find ways to maximize those plays and competitive periods,” said Nagy. “And we are confident that we believe that everything will develop on its own. It will be completely open and we will just take it day by day, and we are excited to see that happen.”
Trubisky is familiar with his teammates and the offense, having served as the Bears’ starting quarterback in each of Nagy’s first two seasons as a coach.
Meanwhile, Foles has worked with Nagy, offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo with other NFL teams. But with the offseason program done entirely virtual, Foles has yet to meet most of the Bears’ new teammates in person.
“I think for sure it is more of a disadvantage not to have what he could have had just by building the relationship,” Nagy said. “And probably more specifically is the time with the wide receivers you get on OTAs where you can run route after route after route. You can see and feel how the guys sync up their movements. So it sure will be a disadvantage.” It’s something you could have had that you don’t have. But those guys know it. He understands it. “
Nagy will encourage both quarterbacks to approach their battle stance with the “Be You” mentality he has infused with the Bears since he became head coach in 2018.
“None of them should go out there and try to do too much,” Nagy said. “They just need to be themselves when they’re out there, play soccer and let the results take care of themselves.”
The winner of the competition will not be determined solely by Nagy; It will be a group effort that will also involve General Manager Ryan Pace and several others.
“The great thing about Matt is his constant dialogue, constant communication, constant collaboration between him and me and his coaching staff and staff,” said Pace. “So like everything we do, it will be a collaborative decision. And I think what makes it easy is the constant communication that Matt and I have.”
