Tag: Ted Phillips

COVID-19 and the pandemic’s role in saving jobs at Halas Hall

When you peel back the curtain, COVID-19 likely had an impact on this year’s Bears team as they grinded through a unique season.

When Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey met the media on Wednesday morning in the team’s season-ending press conference, the first words out of his mouth were about the COVID-19 pandemic.

He spent time offering his support to those impacted by the virus, and saluted essential workers for their efforts over the past year. He then recognized the league and key members of the organization for their hard work to maintain a safe environment, most notably head athletic trainer Andre Tucker, for his role in keeping the facilities clean and ensuring the team was compliant in the league’s protocol.

The pandemic created a surreal football landscape at Soldier Field, one that was devoid of fan attendance, tailgates in the south parking lot, intimate media access and much more. While the football was the same, the atmosphere surrounding it was completely different. It’s probably a significant reason why general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy still have jobs today.

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has been disastrous for many businesses and individuals over the last 10 months. It’s changed the way we all live and has presented numerous challenges no matter what line of work you’re in. It’s truly nothing to make light of, but when you peel back the curtain, it likely had an impact on this year’s Bears team as they grinded through a unique season.

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]

 

Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are officially back for the 2021 season

Both Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy know they are fortunate to be back with the Bears and plan to make the most of this opportunity.

On Wednesday morning, the Chicago Bears confirmed what many had been reporting since Tuesday night when they officially announced general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy would be returning for another season.

In a press conference with the Chicago media, chairman George McCaskey and president and CEO Ted Phillips announced the decision to retain Pace and Nagy, despite underperforming the last two seasons when they went 16-16 in the regular season.

“I was impressed with both of them,” McCaskey told the media. “The decisions we’re announcing today may not be the easiest, or the most popular. But we believe they’re the best decisions for the Bears.”

Phillips, who has been the team’s president since 1999, believes they have the right culture in place to be a winning franchise.

“When you sit back and look at what makes a successful organization, besides wins and losses, it’s the people,” Phillips said.

Both McCaskey and Phillips declined to confirm how many years remained on Pace and Nagy’s contracts, despite being pressed by the media.

Pace, who has been the team’s general manager since 2015 after coming over from the New Orleans Saints, has a record of 42-54 and just one season with a record over .500. The Bears made the postseason twice during his tenure, but lost in the wildcard round in each appearance, including this year when they fell to the Saints 21-9. His offseason moves have been defined by misses at the quarterback position, most notably when he drafted Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2017.

Nagy, meanwhile, has a record of 28-20 since becoming the team’s head coach three years ago after coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s fallen off, however, after his first season when he went 12-4 season that resulted in a division title. Since then, his offense has become stagnant and he’s failed to develop Trubisky into a franchise quarterback.

Both Pace and Nagy know they are fortunate to be back and plan to make the most of this opportunity.

“Ownership has given us an opportunity, they’ve given us all the resources we can ask for and now it’s on us to prove them right,” Pace said.

[listicle id=466193]

 

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.

[listicle id=466051]

 

Ryan Pace one of two football execs that hasn’t won a playoff game since at least 2015

Ryan Pace is one of just 12 lead football executives, who have been in their position since 2015 or longer, that hasn’t won a playoff game.

[jwplayer hXjRgQld-ThvAeFxT]

As the Chicago Bears contemplate their future — with questions about the job securities of general manager Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy and president Ted Phillips — Sunday’s wild-card loss to the New Orleans Saints was a reminder of how far away the Bears are.

Just in case you needed a reminder of just how bad things are, Pace is one of just 12 lead football executives, who have been in their position since 2015 or longer, that hasn’t won a playoff game. Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown is the other.

Six of those executives have lead their teams to Super Bowl championships, a stark reminder of where this franchise is right now.

Pace has made his share of mistakes since taking over as general manager in 2015, but his most egregious remains drafting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky over the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. It’s a move that we all knew would ultimately spell his doom, because this is a quarterback-driven league.

While Pace did manage to turn a terrible defense into one of the league’s best over the last five years, it’s the offense — particularly his failure at quarterback — that will follow him.

Obviously if Chicago had managed to make a playoff run over these last three years that would be different. But the Bears’ Super Bowl window appears to have shut as quickly as it opened just three years ago.

The Bears have some important decisions to make at the management level, which should start with deciding the futures of Pace, Nagy and Phillips. If for some reason Pace survives, he’ll be tasked with another attempt at drafting a franchise quarterback. But he’ll always be remembered for passing on two of the league’s young stars.

[listicle id=465945]

 

Stock Watch: Which Bears players impressed, struggled in Week 13?

Here’s a look at how the stock is trending for some Bears players and staff after Week 13.

The Chicago Bears lost their sixth straight game — an embarrassing 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, where Chicago blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and fell to 5-7 on the season after a 5-1 start.

There was plenty of good and bad — mostly bad — for the Bears against the Lions. Here’s a look at how the stock is trending for some Bears players after Week 13.

POLL: Who wins Week 14 contest between Bears and Texans?

The Bears have lost six straight games, and they’ll be looking to break that losing streak against the Texans in Week 14.

The Chicago Bears have officially hit rock bottom following a 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, where Chicago blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter to fall to 5-7 on the season.

The futures of head coach Matt Nagy, general manager Ryan Pace and even president Ted Phillips feel all but decided at this point following an absolute brutal collapse after a 5-1 start.

With just four games left this season, Chicago fans are content with looking ahead to what’s sure to be a busy offseason and the 2021 NFL Draft. Because even though the Bears are still mathematically in the playoff hunt, it’s hard to believe they can win more than a game or two in this final month.

Meanwhile, the Texans have regressed this season after a 10-6 season in 2019. But the bright spot remains star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will face the Bears for the first time in his career. Pace will have an up-close look at one of the quarterbacks that he decided to pass up when he traded up to draft Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

After their sixth straight loss, can the Bears find a way to secure a win against the Texans? Or will Houston deliver yet another loss to Chicago?

Who wins on Sunday?

VOTE!

[listicle id=463794]

 

 

Matt Nagy feels like he still has support from Bears ownership

According to Bears HC Matt Nagy, he hasn’t had any conversations in relation to his job status with Bears ownership.

In case you were hoping that Sunday’s catastrophe at Soldier Field was a crazy nightmare, I regret to inform you it was very much reality. That much was confirmed by the chorus of chants for the firings of Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, general manager Ryan Pace and president Ted Phillips less than a day after the Bears blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the lowly Detroit Lions in a 34-30 loss.

Nagy usually meets with the media the following morning after a game, and many were wondering if Nagy would actually be in attendance considering things got pretty gnarly on Sunday.

But Nagy was there to meet with Chicago media on Monday morning, where he was barraged with — what else — questions about his job security.

According to Nagy, he hasn’t had any conversations in relation to his job status, saying, “we haven’t had those discussions.”

When asked if he felt like he still had management’s support right now, Nagy replied, “Yeah, I do.”

Now, that doesn’t mean a darn thing. We’ve seen coaches on the hot seat continuously deflect and assuage any concerns about their future. At this point, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Bears Chairman George McCaskey cleans house with Nagy, Pace and possibly Phillips.

While many felt like it would’ve been justified firing Nagy on Monday — a six-game losing streak will do that — it’s worth noting the McCaskey’s have never fired anyone midseason. That’s something they typically do at the end of a season.

But how bad would things need to get for McCaskey to make an exception? A seven-game losing streak? Eight-games? Ten-games? Or maybe they’ve already accepted this season is a wash and are content to ride it out.

[listicle id=463726]