What is going on with the secrecy involving Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy’s contracts?

Bears brass declined to answer a simple question – how long does Ryan Pace’s contract run through? Which certainly raises some questions.

The Chicago Bears held an end of the season press conference that included the team President and CEO Ted Phillips, Chairman George McCaskey, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.

Following some uncertainty about the futures of Pace and Nagy, the Bears confirmed that they will be retained in 2021. When Phillips was asked about how long their contracts run through, he declined to answer that question.

“The contracts really aren’t part of this discussion,” Phillips said. “Ryan and Matt both know that when improvement is show, they’ll take care of themselves. I’d like to leave that at that comment.”

The belief is that Nagy still has two years remaining on his deal, and Pace is effectively signed through 2022. Pace signed a three-year extension back in 2018 that ran through the 2021 season. But it’s unknown whether Chicago quietly signed Pace to a one-year extension to link his and Nagy’s contracts, which would effectively run through 2022.

When Pace was asked the same question regarding the length of his contract,  he declined to answer.

“I respect the question and totally get why you’re asking it, but it’s no different than player contracts,” Pace told reporters. “For us, honestly, the entire focus – and you got to believe me when I say this – the whole focus is on getting this team and doing what’s best for it. It’s not about our contracts. It’s about what’s best for the team, and if you just keep it that simple – talking about contracts, to me, that’s selfish way to look at things. To me, it’s about what’s best for our football team and simply that’s all that matters.

“That’s just a non-factor in anything we’re doing.”

But the Bears did confirm that neither Pace or Nagy received received a contract extension, a clear indication that their jobs are very much on the line in 2021.

After having a disappointing 8-8 season, it felt like the Bears would go in a different direction. However, during the press conference, it was made apparent that they have at least one more year to turn things around.

Phillips believes the Bears have the right culture for the organization, McCaskey loves the leadership and Nagy and Pace feel comfortable with the players they have on the roster. Also, they feel comfortable that they will make the right decision on dealing with Mitchell Trubisky or getting their fourth quarterback.

This wasn’t the press conference fans and players were looking for. Yesterday, people didn’t know what the Bears would be doing this offseason, and although it was made more clear on Wednesday, it’s not exactly reassuring.

While Bears fans know what to expect in 2021 — at least in regard to Pace and Nagy staying the course — it certainly doesn’t help assuage concerns about the direction of this franchise considering the results of the previous two seasons.

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