CHICAGO – Chicago Bears defensive coordinator and former Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has decided to retire, league sources told ESPN, confirming several reports.
The Bears are expected to retain coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, the sources said.
Pagano, 60, spent just two seasons in Chicago after a six-year stint as a Colts coach. He was hired by the Bears on January 11, 2019, to replace decorated defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who stepped down to become the Denver Broncos coach.
In Pagano’s first season, the Bears defense led the NFC in points allowed per game (18.6) and was second in the conference in net yards per game (324.1).
Chicago’s defense again seemed to be the club’s strength at the start of the 2020 season, but the group’s performance stabilized over the course of the year. Chicago finished the regular season 15th in defense and 11th against the pass, while the Bears (8-9) returned to the playoffs in Week 17.
Chicago was eliminated from the postseason by the New Orleans Saints in a 21 to 9 defeat on Sunday in the Superdome.
In six seasons as Colts coach, Pagano was 53-43 in the regular season and 3-3 in the playoffs.
Nagy and Pace’s fates were uncertain after the Bears lost eight of 11 at the end of the year and finished 1-7 against playoff teams in 2020.
Nagy – named NFL Coach of the Year in 2018 – has led the Bears to two postseason postseason in the past three years.
Pace has just completed his sixth year as general manager of Chicago.