Bears HC Marc Trestman defends decision to kick OT field goal on 2nd down

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman took his share of criticism for deciding to kick a game-winning field goal in overtime on second down against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. 

Even though normally accurate kicker Robbie Gould missed from 47 yards, Trestman defended his decision as the Chicago Tribune reports, via Pro Football Talk.

“The decision is not anything that I regret,” Trestman said. 

Trestman added that he decided to kick it on second down because of his confidence in Gould.

“I didn’t do it from an analytics standpoint,” Trestman said. “I did it from being around Robbie.”

Teams often kick on third down in overtime situations in case of a bad snap but a second down kick is rare. The logic would be that even a running play on second down would have likely gotten the Bears a little closer and made the attempt more manageable. 

Trestman feared a negative play like a turnover or loss of yards as the reason why he decided to kick it then.