Chicago Bears coach tests positive for COVID-19

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy has tested positive for COVID-19, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chris Tabor, the special teams coordinator, will run team meetings in Nagy’s absence. 

Nagy, who is vaccinated, joins four players on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list, including running back Damien Williams and offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson, according to the Tribune. 

Coach Nagy announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 25, 2021

Nagy, who led the Bears to two playoff appearances in four seasons, missed the start of rookie minicamp in May after he was deemed to have had close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. 

Nagy and the Bears are struggling this season and were routed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-3 on Sunday.

Nagy said the team may enhance its COVID-19 protocols to prevent future outbreaks. “That’s something that we’re going to look into, to make sure that whatever we’re doing, it’s the smartest thing we can do,” he said. 

“It’s stating the obvious that we’ve had a few that have come up, so what we need to do is make sure that we’re doing everything we can to be smart, to continue to follow what we follow … and listen to what everybody tells us to do, meaning the league,” he added.

The NFL commissioner’s office sent out a memo earlier this year warning clubs that they could forfeit games this season if they are unable to play due to outbreaks among players who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

As of Oct. 21, 94 percent of players and 100 percent of league personnel are vaccinated against the virus, according to the NFL.

As of July, the Bears said 85 percent of their players were vaccinated. 

Nagy is required to show two negative tests 24 hours apart before returning to action.