Tag: Bears front office

Can someone tell Bears brass that winning contributes to a successful football culture?

Winning is the most important thing in running a successful franchise. Something the Bears haven’t done on a consistent basis for decades.

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The Chicago Bears have made the decision to retain general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy, a decision that was not met with approval from Bears fans.

Simply because they haven’t gotten the job done. And, usually, when you don’t do your job, well, you get fired.

But Chairman George McCaskey and President and CEO Ted Phillips made it clear that they don’t care what the fans have to say — Pace and Nagy are here to stay, mostly because they like them as people.

That’s right, the owner and head of football operations are keeping around a general manager and head coach, that would’ve likely been fired by another organization, around for another year because they respect them as people.

Which, don’t get me wrong, is important. But you want to know what’s more important when it comes to running an NFL franchise? Winning. Something that the Bears haven’t managed to do on a consistent basis for decades.

Their last championship came before their current roster of players were even born, and they’ve only made the playoffs three of the last 10 years, the previous two including early exits in the wild-card round.

But focusing on the current regime, Pace and Nagy haven’t gotten it done — Pace in six years, Nagy in three and Phillips in 21. Pace whiffed on drafting a franchise quarterback and a slew of other mistakes that have him to a 42-54 record. Nagy was brought in to revive this offense, when it’s at times looked worse than the John Fox era. Phillips has overseen football operations for the last couple of decades, where the Bears have made the postseason six times (with a 3-6 record) and eight double-digit loss seasons.

And yet, there has been no accountability. When McCaskey had an opportunity to send a message that losing isn’t acceptable, he kept around the very people that have contributed to that culture — and it’s not a winning one nor one that other franchises strive for, as Phillips continues to tell himself.

McCaskey and Phillips remain content with mediocrity, which would make Papa Bear himself George Halas roll over in his grave.

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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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Twitter reacts to Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy press conference

Naturally, Twitter had plenty to say about Pace and Nagy’s press conference, including concerns about anything changing with this regime.

The Chicago Bears made it official that general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy will be returning to the team in 2021. The collaborative partners addressed the media in their annual end-of-year press conference, where they fielded an array of questions from the media.

As usual, there wasn’t much to be learned from their press conference instead of continued promises of turning things around, the importance of culture and the collaboration between Pace and Nagy.

Naturally, Twitter had plenty to say about Pace and Nagy’s press conference, including a lack of accountability, concerns about anything changing with this regime and the outlook of this franchise.

Bears will hold press conference with George McCaskey, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy Wednesday morning

We’ll soon learn what the men in charge with turning this Bears franchise around have to say following a disappointing 8-9 season.

The Chicago Bears will hold an end-of-year press conference with Chairman George McCaskey, President and CEO Ted Phillips, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday.

It’s expected that the Bears will officially announce that they’re retaining Pace and Nagy in 2021, which was reported on Monday night. The one question remains Phillips, who many speculated could be removed or, at the very least, moved from football operations.

We’ll soon learn what the men in charge with turning this franchise around have to say following a disappointing 8-8 season that ended with a wild-card playoff loss.

The press conference will be streamed live on ChicagoBears.com and on the Bears app.

Stay tuned to Bears Wire for continuing coverage.

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