CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- For the second time in as many home games, the Bears had problems with their headsets Sunday.
This time, it happened during the second half of the Bears’ 33-22 loss to the Cardinals at Soldier Field. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the team’s play-caller, was unable to deliver the plays to quarterback Andy Dalton via their headsets. So the Bears had to alter their communication, with Lazor -- who works out of a press box high above the field -- delivering the plays to coach Matt Nagy, who then relayed them to Dalton.
When the headsets initially went out, Nagy was forced to yell the play calls to Dalton from the sidelines. They also communicated with wristband numbers, and Nagy later got a walkie-talkie that transmitted to Dalton's headset.
It was just another problem for the Bears (4-8), who have lost six of their last seven games.
“It was like high school out there, trying to yell the plays that you’re getting from up top," Nagy said. "We started doing that before we got the walkie talkies.
“I (was) basically the conduit to Andy and Bill. And so that’s what we did.”
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During the Bears’ 16-13 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 21 at Soldier Field, Nagy’s headset went out prior to a critical fourth-and-1 play in the fourth quarter. The Bears had initially planned to punt but were forced to call a timeout amid confusion as a result of the headset issue. They then opted to send the offense back out. The Bears didn't convert on fourth down, turning it over.
Despite Nagy being the one who informed Dalton of the calls Sunday, he wasn't selecting the plays. That's still the job of Lazor, who assumed those duties in early October.
“Bill is calling all the plays,” Nagy said. “And I have input if there’s -- situationally, if there’s a feel or something. That’s been always. Nothing has changed from any other games. Today was a normal day. Just, we had the headset go out.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.