The Chicago Bears confirmed that general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy will return for the 2021 campaign.
Team president George McCaskey said he was “impressed” by the work Pace and Nagy did to build the club, whose season ended with Sunday’s Super Wild Card loss to the New Orleans Saints.
“I was impressed with both of them last season, especially during their six-game losing streak,” said McCaskey on Wednesday. “The fact that our players never give up is a tribute to the players. It is also indicative of the type of players Ryan acquires and the players’ consideration of Matt as their head coach. Like Ted and me, Ryan and Matt, too, have vigorous discussions ; in the end, the four of us want the best for the Bears. There are no egos, no other agendas. Mistakes have been made? Yes. But I think Ryan and Matt are learning and growing in their roles. … (for Bears fans) ) We understand your frustration. We are also frustrated. And it would be a perfectly natural reaction to say back to the truck, overhaul, whatever you want to call it … I understand, you deserve your Bears to be the winners. we announce today may not be the easiest or most popular, but we believe they are the best decisions for the Bears. “
McCaskey noted that neither Pace nor Nagy received contract extensions. Pace enters the final year of his contract. Without the extension, GM could feel pressured to make short-term decisions to provide a winning season in 2021, not necessarily taking the future into account. We’ve seen this explosion in the past for lame GMs.
McCaskey said that any potential contract negotiations would be “in progress”.
“When we see improvements, the contracts will take care of themselves,” said team president Ted Phillips, stressing the importance of 2021.
When asked repeatedly about what Pace and Nagy did to deserve another season, McCaskey continually pointed out that the two would improve together, despite the consecutive seasons of 8-8. The president pointed to the discovery of WR Darnell Mooney in the fifth round as one of the main reasons why GM managed another season at the helm.
The biggest problem in 2021 for the Bears is in the position of defender. Mitchell Trubisky, who Pace used overall choice # 2, played the last year of his contract, and Nick Foles was replaced in favor of the fighter QB.
“We need better production from the quarterback position to be successful,” said McCaskey.
When asked directly whether he believes, after making several mistakes in the position, Pace and Nagy can finally get the QB’s position right, McCaskey said: “Yes, we are.”
Bears returned to the playoffs, despite a streak of six straight losses that any other season would have left them out of the postseason. McCaskey noted that the new spot on the 7th. Playoff instituted by the NFL this year is the only reason they made it to the postseason.
“For me, 2020 was a losing season,” he said.
Despite this feeling, Pace and Nagy will have at least another year to make the Bears overcome the obstacle.