Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, now the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, made headlines this week after sending a public message to newly appointed Bears head coach Ben Johnson. In a brief but impactful statement during an interview ahead of Chiefs minicamp, Nagy offered a mix of wisdom, caution, and a not-so-subtle jab at one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries.
“Make your own legacy—but beat the Packers,” Nagy said with a chuckle when asked what advice he’d offer Johnson as he takes over the reins in Chicago.
Though the comment may seem playful on the surface, longtime Bears fans and league insiders alike understood the underlying weight of Nagy’s message.
A Legacy of Mixed Emotions
Matt Nagy’s own tenure in Chicago began with promise. Hired as head coach in 2018, he led the Bears to a 12–4 record in his first season, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors. That year saw the Bears claim the NFC North title and look poised for long-term success. But as the seasons wore on, the spark began to fade. The offense stagnated, quarterback development stalled, and perhaps most painfully for fans—Chicago couldn’t consistently beat their archrivals, the Green Bay Packers.
Nagy finished his four-year stint with a 34–31 record, but just 1–7 against the Packers.
“Listen, I loved my time in Chicago. It’s a city that breathes football,” Nagy said. “But if there’s one thing you learn quickly, it’s that Sundays against Green Bay aren’t just games—they’re wars. And if you lose those too often, nothing else matters.”
A Message for Johnson
Ben Johnson, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, enters Chicago with a reputation as one of the NFL’s brightest young minds. His work with Jared Goff and the Lions’ offensive turnaround in recent seasons caught the attention of multiple franchises. When the Bears offered him the job, insiders say he was drawn to the idea of developing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and reshaping a proud but recently underperforming franchise.
Nagy’s message to Johnson was part congratulations and part cautionary tale.
“You’re not walking into a rebuild—you’re walking into an expectation,” Nagy said. “Chicago expects winners. They expect creativity. And they expect you to take it to Green Bay every single time.”
He also added, “Ben’s a great coach. I’ve watched his growth from afar, and I think he’s got the tools to succeed where some of us fell short.”
Rivalries and Redemption
The Bears-Packers rivalry is the oldest in the NFL, and arguably the most bitter. The Packers have had a stranglehold over the matchup for most of the last 30 years, especially during the Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers eras. With Rodgers now gone and Green Bay transitioning to a younger roster, Bears fans see a narrow window to flip the script.
“Those games define your tenure,” Nagy said. “Even when we won 12 games that first year, people still talked more about the playoff loss and the missed opportunities against Green Bay. That’s the job.”
He paused, then added, “I don’t regret much, but I do wish we could’ve flipped the rivalry while I was there.”
Support and Subtle Encouragement
Despite the underlying tension of past failures, Nagy made it clear he’s rooting for Johnson.
“There’s no jealousy, no bad blood,” he said. “I want that city to win. I want them to find their guy. And I think Ben could be that guy. He just needs to trust his instincts, empower his staff, and build a culture of accountability.”
While Nagy’s advice was peppered with humor and humility, his words offer a window into what it really takes to succeed in one of football’s most demanding markets.
The Road Ahead
Johnson’s journey is only just beginning. With a young quarterback, revamped offensive line, and a front office that seems committed to long-term success, the pieces may finally be in place. But as Nagy knows all too well, promise means nothing if it doesn’t lead to production.
“You’ll get a grace period,” Nagy said. “But it’s short. The fans will love you if you win, and they’ll worship you if you beat the Packers in Lambeau.”
As Johnson steps into Halas Hall and begins molding the 2025 Bears, Nagy’s message may echo in his mind: Build your own legacy—but don’t forget who you need to beat along the way.
