The most important thing anyone can take away from general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy’s end-of-the-year press conference on Tuesday is that it’s not a true indication of how the Bears’ offseason will progress.
Just two days removed from a disappointing 2019 season that was once sky-high with Super Bowl expectations, Pace and Nagy took to the podium frustrated with the result of their 8-8 season and answering a whole lot of questions about some of the more frustrating aspects of this season, including quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, the offensive line and play calling.
And yet, it doesn’t mean a thing. Not really. The most important discussions are happening behind the scenes, where Pace said that over the next four to five months, they’re going to have some honest conversations where some tough decisions are going to need to be made. And watching their presser, you didn’t learn a thing about those tough decisions. Not really.
Pace stated the obvious that Trubisky will be the Bears starting quarterback when the 2020 season begins, but we all know that a lot can happen between now and then. While Pace’s continued faith and patience with Trubisky remains infuriating with some fans, that doesn’t mean if the struggles continue next season that they won’t bench him.
Pace said that he was “happy” with linebacker Leonard Floyd this season, but also acknowledged that he’d like to see more production from him. The Bears picked up Floyd’s fifth-year option earlier this season, and from the sound of it, Floyd will remain with the team in 2020. But the Bears still have until the start of the league year on on March 18 to release Floyd and nullify his fifth-year option.
Then there’s tight end Adam Shaheen, who has been another disappointment. The former second-round selection in 2017, Shaheen has struggled to remain healthy and contribute on the field. Pace went as far to say that he’ll be with the team in training camp next summer — he is under contract, after all — but that’s no indication that he’ll make the active roster, as the Bears have a lot of work to do at the tight end position.
While Pace was firm in his stance that this 8-8 season wasn’t what they wanted, there was almost an optimistic outlook for what’s in store for this team at present moving forward. Words like “belief” and “happy” were tossed around when describing some things that are serious concerns heading into this crucial offseason. And you know what, they don’t mean a thing. Not really.
Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words when it comes to the decisions Pace makes this offseason.
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