Marc Trestman: No regrets about 47-yard FG attempt on second down
Chicago GM Phil Emery said the decision was "made in the best interest of the Bears." (Michael Thomas/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman doesn't have any regrets about electing to send kicker Robbie Gould onto the field for a 47-yard field goal attempt on second down in overtime against the Vikings on Sunday in Minnesota.
Gould missed the attempt, and the Bears ended up losing the game 23-20, but Trestman said on Monday that he doesn't look back on the decision to go for the win with 4:12 remaining in overtime, reports David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune:
"The decision is not anything that I regret...I didn't do it from an analytics standpoint. I did it from being around Robbie.''
The 47-yard attempt, according to the report citing Pro Football Reference, was "the NFL's longest field-goal attempt on a down other than fourth down — except at the end of halves — since 1999."
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Despite the rather surprising decision from Trestman, it was one supported by Bears general manager Phil Emery after the game. Emery called the attempt a "fine decision."
"There's just as much risk taken by making that decision as there would have been running another play. He made that decision on what was best for the team in terms of winning in that instance. I stand behind the decision. I think it was a fine decision, (one) made in the best interest of the Bears.''
Trestman said he second-guesses himself a lot, but his now-infamous choice on Sunday is one that he said "really does not" make him think about it again.
"A lot…I want to be perfect for the guys. Second-guessing is the wrong term I would use, but you do look back and ask yourself: 'What other options did I have and would they have worked better under the circumstances?'"
Trestman is currently in his first year with the Bears after five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. The Bears, 6-6 and second in the NFC North, play next as host to the Cowboys on Dec. 9.
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