Expectation is Ryan Pace will remain with Bears, but some doubt ownership can justify it
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?
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Making the argument for keeping or firing Bears GM Ryan Pace
