Tag: Bears press conference

Bears GM Ryan Poles: ‘No one in our building is panicking’

Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed Justin Fields comments, Alan Williams’ resignation, and the state of the team on Thursday.

The Chicago Bears experienced one of the wildest days in recent memory at Halas Hall on Wednesday and general manager Ryan Poles is trying to steady the ship. Poles held an impromptu press conference with the media on Thursday to address the status of the team after the string of news and rumors that took over social media the day before.

On Wednesday, quarterback Justin Fields had strong comments about his early season struggles and how coaching has impacted his play. Fields walked those comments back and wanted to make it clear the blame lies with him. While that was happening, rumors swirled about (now) former defensive coordinator Alan Williams, who resigned from his position yesterday citing health reasons. Williams had been away from the team dealing with a personal matter.

With the rampant rumors and noise that’s permeated across sports stations and social media, Poles decided to address them and assure everyone that no one is panicking after their 0-2 start.

“To be really clear, I know there’s outside noise but no one in our building is panicking,” Poles said via 670 The Score’s Chris Emma. “Nobody is flinching at any situations. Not our owner. Not our president. Not our head coach. Not myself. None of our players. Everybody is focusing on solving the issues we have so we can become a better football team.”

The Bears general manager also took time to address Fields’ comments and isn’t worried about the quarterback pointing the finger at anyone.

“The guy has been successful the moment he stepped into high school football. So, he’s dealing with adversity and dealing with taking his game to the next level through many different situations and change,” Poles explained via Emma. “I think that’s where you get the frustration from. I thought he took ownership of everything. He didn’t have to say anything about that. Our coaches are like, ‘How can we make you better? How can we help you be successful?’ And there’s always that balance. No one took it personally.”

As far as the situation regarding Williams, Poles wasn’t ready to divulge much information but said Halas Hall was not part of an FBI raid, despite social media rumors. Poles is also not ready to name a defensive coordinator yet, but that should come next week via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Overall, Poles didn’t say anything groundbreaking during Thursday’s media session, but it was important that someone address everything that has gone on. To have so much noise come out of a team’s facility in a matter of hours is rare, especially so early in the season. The Bears can get things back on track, but they will need to get past the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs first, Poles’ former team. The Bears and Chiefs kick off on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT.

Bears QB Justin Fields clarifies comments he made about the coaching staff

The Bears quarterback held an impromptu press conference at his locker following practice.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields already spoke with the media earlier on Wednesday but decided to hold an impromptu press conference at his locker after practice to clarify comments he made.

Fields held court at his locker with many media members in attendance after he felt his comments about the coaching staff were taken out of context. Earlier in the day, the Bears quarterback said he was playing too robotic on the field and needed to play more freely. When asked why he was thinking too much, Fields said it “could be coaching” but said at the end of the day, it’s up to him to “think less and play more.”

Those comments stirred the pot on social media and Fields felt it was necessary to clear up what he said after practice. He spoke with the media about taking things out of context before addressing his comments about the coaching staff.

I’m not blaming anything on the coaches. I’m never going to blame anything on the coaches, never going to blame anything on my teammates. Whatever happens in the game, I will take all the blame. I don’t care if it’s a dropped pass…put it on me.

But whenever you hear anything coming out of my mouth to where I will blame it on somebody else, my teammates? Never will you hear that. I just want to clear that up and just know, I need to play better. That’s it, point blank. That’s what I should have said in the first place. But I was trying to give you all more details because I appreciate you all for doing what you all do, and I try to give you all the information you want for your guys’ job.

I’m going to do that in the future, but I ask you guys to put the whole quote out there. Don’t cut it up into words and pieces to make it seem like I’m saying something I’m not. Again, I appreciate you guys and what you do and hope you all have a blessed day.

Very rarely does the team’s starting quarterback pull reporters over shortly after speaking with them at an already-planned press conference, but Fields felt it was necessary after he was informed about his comments going viral on social media. Fields has had a rough start to the season, along with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. He’s looking to get back on the right track and feels confident that he can. But he wants everyone to know the blame lies with him, not the coaching staff.

Matt Eberflus won’t say when — or if — Bears DC Alan Williams will return

The Bears head coach declined to say whether Alan Williams was still the team’s defensive coordinator or not.

The Chicago Bears may be without defensive coordinator Alan Williams for another week, if he’s even still the team’s defensive coordinator at all. Head coach Matt Eberflus met with the media on Wednesday and was asked about the status of Williams, who has been away from the team for the last week with a personal matter. Eberflus was oddly coy with his answers.

“I do not have an update on Alan Williams right now,” Eberflus said when asked by CHGO’s Nicholas Moreano if the defensive coordinator would return this season. Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times followed up by asking if Williams was still the defensive coordinator, and Eberflus repeated his statement. The Bigs’ Herb Howard asked if Eberflus had spoken to Williams, and once again, the head coach declined to answer.

The hope is that Williams is okay with whatever issue he’s currently dealing with, but it’s curious that Eberflus won’t answer whether or not he’s even still the team’s defensive coordinator at this point. Eberflus took over defensive play-calling last week in Williams’ absence in the 27-17 loss vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will likely do that again this week if Williams remains out.

Williams has been the team’s defensive coordinator since 2022, when he followed Eberflus to Chicago from the Indianapolis Colts. Under his coaching, the defense has totaled just 21 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 16 forced fumbles. The unit struggled against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and didn’t look much better in Week 2 with Eberflus calling plays.

The Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs and their potent offense in Week 3, and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether Williams will be back for that game or not.

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.

[jwplayer hXjRgQld-ThvAeFxT]

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.

[listicle id=466157]

 

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.

[listicle id=466157]

 

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.