Mike Wells, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Matt Nagy's comfort with Bears 'quite a statement' considering his ties to Colts GM

INDIANAPOLIS -- Matt Nagy took the Chicago Bears job at least in part because he was more comfortable in his interview with them compared to his interview with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Kansas City Chiefs assistant head coach Brad Childress.

“I know for a fact -- I wasn’t in the room -- but I know who he talked to first and who he talked to second,” Childress told ESPN 1000-AM in Chicago on Wednesday. “I know for a fact that this is a people business and that he felt entirely more comfortable in that [Bears] interview with the people that sat out there for four and a half hours than he did after he came out of the Colts interview. That’s quite a statement because the guy that’s at the Colts [GM Chris Ballard] was with us for five years at Kansas City."

Nagy, who was with the Chiefs from 2013 to 2017 and was the offensive coordinator the past two season, interviewed with the Bears and Colts on Sunday for their head-coaching jobs. He was named coach of the Bears on Monday. The Colts never offered Nagy the job, according to a source.

“A lot of times you go with your gut because at the same time you’re interviewing Matt Nagy, Matt Nagy is interviewing you and he’s seeing what he’s throwing in with and who he’s getting in the car with,” Childress said on ESPN 1000. “It’s just like when you’re doing a deal; both sides have to get something. I felt from him, full-on, that they were two completely different kinds of interviews and he was enthralled with the people at the Bears and the Bears' situation to jump in that boat.”

Nagy and Ballard spent four seasons together in Kansas City before Ballard was named general manager of the Colts in January 2017.

“Chris and I have a good relationship away from football, being with the Chiefs together. I respect the heck out of Chris. I think he’s going to do a great job there in Indianapolis. He respects me and understands my decision. For me, he just wants the best for my family and for me in a business decision. But it was just a feel. And I know where we’re at here, it felt good. It’s no slight to Indianapolis. They have a great team. Great things are going to happen. And this is just the way it went.”

The Colts are still in the process of trying to find a coach to replace Chuck Pagano. Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is scheduled to interview with Indianapolis on Thursday, according to a source. The Colts, who have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, have already interviewed New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Seattle defensive coordinator Kris Richard and Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for the job.

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