Tag: George McCaskey

Bears fans blasted George McCaskey after it’s clear nothing’s changed with organization

Bears Chairman George McCaskey met with the media following Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace’s firings. It did not not go well.

The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace on Monday, which left fans riding a high of optimism following those moves, which appeared to indicate the organization was taking things seriously.

That all changed when Chairman George McCaskey took center stage during his press conference.

There’s plenty to digest from McCaskey’s embarrassing presser, but the main takeaway is that it’s clear nothing has changed with the Bears organization. President/CEO Ted Phillips is still involved with the head coach and GM search; there’s still no head of football operations to run things; and McCaskey is unqualified to operate in the manner he is.

Substitute Nagy, Pace and Bill Polian (who is going to help spearhead the head coach and GM searches), and you’ve got 2015 all over again.

As you can imagine, Bears fans had plenty of harsh words for McCaskey, starting with how it’s clear this franchise isn’t going anywhere so long as he’s running the show.

NFL world reacts to report Bears GM Ryan Pace could be promoted instead of fired

There’s speculation Bears GM Ryan Pace could be promoted rather than fired, which has the NFL world talking.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an important offseason, where some big decisions await them. The expectation is that head coach Matt Nagy will get the axe, which will likely be announced Monday.

But the bigger question is general manager Ryan Pace, whose future is more uncertain and under more scrutiny at the present moment. While Nagy has garnered a bulk of criticism, and rightfully so, Pace also deserves a fair share of blame for the team’s struggles.

Unfortunately, all indications are that Pace is going to remain with the Bears organization. But perhaps not as GM.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune mentioned that growing speculation is that Pace will not only be retained but receive a promotion as head of football operations. Considering Pace didn’t succeed as GM, it doesn’t seem right for him to receive a promotion and to hire his successor.

As you can imagine, a bulk of the reaction to this report isn’t positive from Bears fans and NFL fans alike. Although there are some that believe it’s not the worst idea, as it would at least get Pace away from being the GM.

Expectation is Ryan Pace will remain with Bears, but some doubt ownership can justify it

While Matt Nagy is undoubtedly gone after the Bears’ finale, it’s Ryan Pace’s future that’s more uncertain heading into Monday.

As the Chicago Bears prepare for their season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, all attention is on what transpires after the game as it relates to the futures of head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace.

While Nagy is undoubtedly gone after this game, it’s Pace’s future that has been more of a question, and thus, the focus heading into Monday.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune focused on the uncertainty surrounding Pace’s future with the Bears. From the sound of it, there’s growing buzz that Pace will remain with the organization — perhaps even promoted as head of football operations. That’s in-line with other reports surrounding Pace, who many believe will live to see another regime.

But Biggs also spoke to some people who don’t believe Pace will survive given George McCaskey will have a difficult time justifying the decision. Especially after McCaskey and Ted Phillips preached the importance of collaboration with Pace and Nagy.

If they valued collaboration as much as they’ve said, if Nagy’s gone, so should Pace.

Here’s a quick excerpt from Biggs column over at the Tribune:

However it plays out in the next 72 to 96 hours will be fascinating. The Bears have reached a crossroads for the second time in two years and the third time in five years. If McCaskey blows up the operation on the football side, it’s easily explainable, and questions immediately will focus on who and what is next. Again, some believe this is the course of action that will occur as McCaskey will realize retaining Pace is simply too difficult to justify.

If Nagy is fired and Pace remains to plot a new direction, whether in his current role or with a new title, it will be because he’s not only revered in the building, but there is conviction he can build around the quarterback he was allowed to land.

There’s no justifying some Pace’s biggest flaws, which include his lack of draft capital, salary cap mismanagement and the fact Chicago has had one winning season in seven years.

But it might be landing quarterback Justin Fields that ultimately saves him, and the one thing McCaskey could use to justify retaining Pace in some capacity.

At this point, no one knows what’s going to happen with Pace except for McCaskey, who’s not one to let information leak. Especially if he has fondness for Pace.

But this is a business. It’s not about employing people that you like. It’s about putting the right people in place to further the success of this franchise. With that in mind, can McCaskey honestly say retaining Pace helps with that?

[listicle id=493803]

Sorry, Bears fans, it doesn’t sound like Ryan Pace is going anywhere

While Matt Nagy’s fate has been decided, we’ll have to wait to see Ryan Pace’s fate. But it sounds like he’s returning to the Bears.

The Chicago Bears are playing a football game Sunday. Their final game of the season. Not that anyone’s focused on that right now considering it’s what happens after the game that everyone is waiting to see unfold.

While everyone knows head coach Matt Nagy is getting the axe after Sunday’s finale against the Minnesota Vikings, the bigger question is the future of general manager Ryan Pace.

For all of the criticism Nagy has received, and rightfully so, Pace deserves a share of that. Especially considering the roster he’s constructed, a lack of draft capital and his mismanagement of the salary cap.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune addressed the uncertain future of Pace, citing one of his source’s beliefs about Pace staying with the organization. While it was slightly above 50% a month ago, that’s now changed.

I can tell you once source I spoke to earlier this week said a little more than a month ago, he would have put the chance of Pace staying at slightly higher than 50%. Now his belief is Pace’s chances of remaining with the Bears is greater than that. We know Chairman George McCaskey has held Pace in high regard for some time.

The belief among NFL circles is that Pace is staying put with the Bears organization, even if that’s not as GM. That could indicate, perhaps, a promotion to head of football operations. Which, when you think about it, makes no sense if he didn’t do a good job as GM why he’s getting a promotion. But given Chairman George McCaskey’s fondness for Pace, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

While Nagy’s future has been set in stone for some time, we’ll have to wait a few more days to see Pace’s fate.

[listicle id=493621]

Bear Necessities: Former players want to work with front office to get Chicago on right track

Former Bears players want an open discussion with the front office about getting the team on the right track.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

With just one game remaining this season, the Chicago Bears face an important offseason with some big potential changes.

While Matt Nagy is most assuredly out at season’s end, there’s doubt that George McCaskey will do what needs to be done with some other potential positions, including GM Ryan Pace and President/CEO Ted Phillips.

So why not hear out some former Bears players who have ideas about how to right the ship with the organization?

Former Bear Jerry Azumah took to Twitter to express his desire for the Bears front office to hold an open discussion with former players about the direction of the team.

He’s the latest of several former Bears players to express their desire to help this organization get on the right track.

One of the criticisms of McCaskey and the Bears organization as a whole has been their inability to impact positive change. It doesn’t help that McCaskey and Phillips aren’t “football guys.”

So why not listen to some “football guys” aka some former players who have some insight to provide that could help get this organization back on the right track?

[pickup_prop id=”18296″]

Report: GM Ryan Pace expected to remain with Bears organization

A new report indicates that Ryan Pace will remain with the Bears organization beyond 2021. Whether that’s as GM remains to be seen.

We’re just one week away from the start of the Chicago Bears offseason, which is going to feature some big changes. The most prominent is Matt Nagy’s impending firing. But there are also questions about the rest of the front office.

General manager Ryan Pace’s future isn’t set in stone, and there have been reports about a restructure in the front office, which could include a new role for President/CEO Ted Phillips.

According to Hub Arkush, it doesn’t sound like Pace is going anywhere as he’s expected to remain with the Bears organization. But whether he’s still the GM remains to be seen.

“What I’ve heard from several good sources is that Ryan is probably going to be remaining with the organization (in some capacity),” Arkush told 670 the Score. “…It’s better than 50-50 that Ryan Pace sticks around.”

This lines up with previous reports that have indicated the Bears were doing their homework on potential GM replacements for Pace. But even if Pace is out as GM, it doesn’t mean he’s out of the Bears organization entirely, as Chairman George McCaskey is quite fond of Pace.

[listicle id=493656]

Our New Year’s Resolutions for the Bears in 2022

With the arrival of 2022, there’s hope that things can and will get better for the Bears. But here’s what they need to do:

The Chicago Bears didn’t have a very good year in 2021. With the exception of drafting of quarterback Justin Fields, it was a pretty rough year for fans and the franchise in general. But with the arrival of 2022, there’s hope that things can and will get better.

There are plenty of things that the Bears need to address this offseason to better their football team for the upcoming season — which starts at the top. But if Chicago is going to right the ship this season, they’re going to need to do several things.

Here are our New Year’s resolutions for the Bears in 2022:

Report: Bears looking at ‘significant changes’ within organization, including GM

It sounds like the Bears are looking to make significant changes at multiple positions this offseason, including general manager.

The Chicago Bears currently sit at 4-9, where their season is all but over at this point. Right now, the only things left to look forward to are rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ final four games and the impending change that’s on the way within the organization.

While the expectation is Matt Nagy will be relieved of his coaching duties at season’s end, the change might not stop there. There’s been speculation that the Bears could consider restructuring the front office entirely, which could include moving on from general manage Ryan Pace.

After Adam Hoge reported the Bears were doing homework on potential GM replacements for Pace, he doubled down in an appearance on The Bernstein & Rahimi Show on 670 the Score.

“The Bears are looking at significant changes behind the scenes, and I think it’s at multiple positions,” he said. “I think they’re doing their homework at general manager.”

If the Bears ultimately did decide to move on from Pace as GM, that wouldn’t necessarily mean he’d be done within the organization. According to Dan Wiederer, “multiple sources have relayed buzz that (George) McCaskey’s fondness for Pace could keep him in the organization in some capacity.”

But with multiple reports that the Bears are considering making big changes within the organization, it’s certainly going to be an interesting offseason.

[listicle id=491768]

Report: Ryan Pace could remain with Bears organization, even if not as GM

If Ryan Pace is out as Bears GM, it sounds like he could find another role within the organization due to George McCaskey’s fondness of him.

The expectation is that the Chicago Bears will undergo a lot of changes this offseason, which could include everyone from head coach Matt Nagy (who’s all but sealed his fate) to general manager Ryan Pace to president Ted Phillips.

While Nagy has been the central focus as the head coach — especially given a new rule that teams can begin interviewing prospective coaching candidates two weeks before the end of the regular season — he’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Nagy has been a huge part of the problem with this organization’s lack of success, but he’s not the only problem. Pace and Phillips also shoulder some responsibility, and Pace finds himself on a hot seat of his own as GM.

While Pace could very well be out as Bears GM next year, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be done with the organization. And according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, that has to do with Chairman George McCaskey, who is a big Pace fan.

Multiple sources have relayed buzz that McCaskey’s fondness for Pace could keep him in the organization in some capacity.

McCaskey and Phillips have mistaken being good guys with guys being good at their jobs, which has been the case with Pace and Nagy. Last January, McCaskey and Phillips praised the leadership of Pace and Nagy and put their faith in them to right the ship.

We’ve seen how that’s worked out.

Now that the Bears have become a public embarrassment in the NFL, it’s provoking the kind of change that should’ve happened sooner. But we’re still four weeks from seeing how it all plays out.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=491445]

Bear Necessities: Chicago has become laughing stock of NFL. So what are they going to do about it?

It’s shaping up to be an offseason of change for the Bears.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

It’s shaping up to be an offseason of change for the Chicago Bears, where head coach Matt Nagy is most likely on his way out and there could be other changes, including general manager Ryan Pace and a new role for president Ted Phillips.

Change is not only expected by necessary at this point, considering, where things currently stand, that the Bears are the laughing stock of the NFL.

“From the outside, the whole thing seems to be a nightmare,” an unnamed source told the Chicago Tribune. “No matter what they try, they can’t get it right. … It’s to the point where you feel sorry for them. But then you wonder if they even realize how lost they are.”

Last January, chairman George McCaskey and Phillips sat in front of the media and doubled down on their faith in Pace and Nagy to get the Bears where they needed to — stressing that they expected to see measured progress.

Well, we’ve all seen how well that’s worked out.

Another losing season and another failed coaching regime has the Bears back in a hole they’ve been struggling to get out of for decades. And there are some that believe that the Bears need to clean house entirely — which doesn’t stop at getting rid of Pace and Nagy.

“You clean house,” a league source told the Chicago Tribune. “You start from the top. New team president. New GM. New coach. New everything. And you identify a new person at the top of the structure that you have confidence in to give full autonomy to, so they can redefine who you are and how you do things.”

With four games left this season, it’s unlikely that change happens before the end of the year. But that Monday following Chicago’s season finale against the Minnesota Vikings will show us how serious McCaskey is about turning things around for this Bears franchise.