Column: A week after the Chicago Bears’ astonishing state-of-the-franchise address, the city’s ire has amplified. Do Chairman George McCaskey and CEO Ted Phillips see something everyone else doesn’t? By Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune | January 21st, 2021
If we’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s that reality can be easily distorted. Don’t like what you see? Try a different filter. Believe something with enough desire and conviction and you can convince others it’s true.
Perhaps that’s what the leaders of the Chicago Bears had in mind when they held last week’s “collaboration means more than results” sermon over Zoom. That “No Outlet” sign everyone else seemed to notice on the road the Bears veered down last season? Pay it no mind.
That’s what Bears Chairman George McCaskey emphasized in professing his unwavering faith in team President and CEO Ted Phillips. It’s what Phillips reiterated in declaring that the Bears have little to worry about with general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy running their show. After a frustrating 8-8 season, after a lopsided playoff loss, after two days of high-level meetings last week at Halas Hall, the Bears concluded that no changes were necessary at the top.
“The path to winning is rarely linear,” Phillips said. “And we feel the strong ability of Ryan and Matt to work together to build a shared vision of success is the fastest way toward building a consistently winning organization.”
Close your eyes. Cross your fingers. Repeat it until it’s true.
Listen to the Hoge and Jahns post conference podcast.
They talk about how terrible it was, and how it wouldn't have been that hard to talk about staying the course and having confidence in Pace/Nagy since they've been together. Dont remember how they exactly put it but there is a case to be made, mostly b/c turning over the GM/HC every 3-4 years is not a recipe for success.
My guess is they knew that there would be growing pains w/both as they are young and both were first time in their jobs, GM/HC. They should have known there would be mistakes early on but HH is likely looking for improvements from both that go beyond just winning. 670 earlier this week pointed out that nothing about what George or Ted said that made it sound like either were on the hot seat, and overall sounded like they were okay w/keeping them and not just for 1 more year unless it works. Basically it's just media/fans speculating(like we did last year).
I don't think it's that hard to believe that Pace/Nagy said they need a shot to draft/develop a qb together and that might well buy them another 2-3 years. It keeps being pointed out that HH will not tell anyone their contract lengths, which isn't that uncommon in most sports and most teams; so what if both were given extensions long enough to draft and develop a 2nd QB?
Listen to the Hoge and Jahns post conference podcast.
They talk about how terrible it was, and how it wouldn't have been that hard to talk about staying the course and having confidence in Pace/Nagy since they've been together. Dont remember how they exactly put it but there is a case to be made, mostly b/c turning over the GM/HC every 3-4 years is not a recipe for success.
My guess is they knew that there would be growing pains w/both as they are young and both were first time in their jobs, GM/HC. They should have known there would be mistakes early on but HH is likely looking for improvements from both that go beyond just winning. 670 earlier this week pointed out that nothing about what George or Ted said that made it sound like either were on the hot seat, and overall sounded like they were okay w/keeping them and not just for 1 more year unless it works. Basically it's just media/fans speculating(like we did last year).
I don't think it's that hard to believe that Pace/Nagy said they need a shot to draft/develop a qb together and that might well buy them another 2-3 years. It keeps being pointed out that HH will not tell anyone their contract lengths, which isn't that uncommon in most sports and most teams; so what if both were given extensions long enough to draft and develop a 2nd QB?
Growing pains - yes as noted they’re both first timers in their jobs. With Pace though it’s been 6-7 years now and I don’t see that as a viable excuse anymore. If HH is looking for improvements from both that go beyond winning, can we at least get the winning part taken care of first as I venture many other improvements will happen just by winning for a change.
Listen to the Hoge and Jahns post conference podcast.
They talk about how terrible it was, and how it wouldn't have been that hard to talk about staying the course and having confidence in Pace/Nagy since they've been together. Dont remember how they exactly put it but there is a case to be made, mostly b/c turning over the GM/HC every 3-4 years is not a recipe for success.
My guess is they knew that there would be growing pains w/both as they are young and both were first time in their jobs, GM/HC. They should have known there would be mistakes early on but HH is likely looking for improvements from both that go beyond just winning. 670 earlier this week pointed out that nothing about what George or Ted said that made it sound like either were on the hot seat, and overall sounded like they were okay w/keeping them and not just for 1 more year unless it works. Basically it's just media/fans speculating(like we did last year).
I don't think it's that hard to believe that Pace/Nagy said they need a shot to draft/develop a qb together and that might well buy them another 2-3 years. It keeps being pointed out that HH will not tell anyone their contract lengths, which isn't that uncommon in most sports and most teams; so what if both were given extensions long enough to draft and develop a 2nd QB?
Growing pains - yes as noted they’re both first timers in their jobs. With Pace though it’s been 6-7 years now and I don’t see that as a viable excuse anymore. If HH is looking for improvements from both that go beyond winning, can we at least get the winning part taken care of first as I venture many other improvements will happen just by winning for a change.
Pace overall has improved his drafting and FA signings, not sure what else you expect. With Nagy they are 28-20 w/2 post season appearances, and mostly w/a hobbled together O b/c the QB and other pieces don't match what Nagy needs. Just did this in the ARob thread so I won't do it again but TL:DR version of that was:
1yr w/Nagy 3 weapons TE, speed WR possession WR, all had 3 similar stats w/the ball evenly spread. W/out question the best look the O had in 3 years.
2yr w/Nagy 2 weapons both WR's b/c the TE and speed WR get hurt Amil takes over for TGab and ARob has to add on TE rec role, O (not just the QB) take a step back team sputters.
3yr w/Nagy 5 weapons only 1 primary target w/the other 4 fighting over the rest, the O continues to struggle (this time proving it wasn't just the QB b/c Foles struggles also) team sputters.
4yr? w/Nagy 3 weapons TE, speed WR, who will be the possession wr though? ARob who is going to want the majority of the looks; or Amil/Wims/Ridley 2 of whom are as likley off the team as ARob if not more so and the other not able to; another FA WR or another draftee? Also who is the QB and what do they do about the OT's who have proven w/out a mobile QB unwilling to stay in the pocket they cannot pass pro?
But even w/a stagnating record, they are still lightyears better then the Emery/Trestman Pace/Fox years. And HH might well be looking at that. I said it during the season, be careful what you ask for b/c it CAN get worse then Pace/Nagy the Bears HAD worse then them not that long ago, and at least he arrow is still slightly pointing up. B/C the team knows what it can look like and why it didn't the last 2 years.
Now they get a shot to draft and develop a QB they both can scout while having the pieces in place similar to yr1. Question is who will they go after. I think you are going to see Mac Jones fly up the draft boards and get taken around or inside the top 10, probably the 3rd or 4th qb taken in a top 15 that is full of QB needy teams. I think you'll see Trey Lance drop, good for the Bears right? Except he is very Mitch like, but worse his 1yr starting experience was last year. He played 1 game this year, was 50% comp w/2 Td's and 1 pick. And the Bears might have to trade up to get him? I don't think Pace goes that route again, I was happy w/the idea of "reaching for Jones" at 20, but in reality I cannot see how he's still there, so they likely look for a qb in the 2nd. to a guy like Trask, who like Foles is pretty statuesque in the pocket(still need 2 OT's to protect someone like that). Maybe they take a guy like Newman(also Mitch like but at least in the 2nd w/no trade ups) but you are talking about NOT ready to play yr1. After that Jesus it gets bad.
Listen to the Hoge and Jahns post conference podcast.
They talk about how terrible it was, and how it wouldn't have been that hard to talk about staying the course and having confidence in Pace/Nagy since they've been together. Dont remember how they exactly put it but there is a case to be made, mostly b/c turning over the GM/HC every 3-4 years is not a recipe for success.
My guess is they knew that there would be growing pains w/both as they are young and both were first time in their jobs, GM/HC. They should have known there would be mistakes early on but HH is likely looking for improvements from both that go beyond just winning. 670 earlier this week pointed out that nothing about what George or Ted said that made it sound like either were on the hot seat, and overall sounded like they were okay w/keeping them and not just for 1 more year unless it works. Basically it's just media/fans speculating(like we did last year).
I don't think it's that hard to believe that Pace/Nagy said they need a shot to draft/develop a qb together and that might well buy them another 2-3 years. It keeps being pointed out that HH will not tell anyone their contract lengths, which isn't that uncommon in most sports and most teams; so what if both were given extensions long enough to draft and develop a 2nd QB?
Growing pains - yes as noted they’re both first timers in their jobs. With Pace though it’s been 6-7 years now and I don’t see that as a viable excuse anymore. If HH is looking for improvements from both that go beyond winning, can we at least get the winning part taken care of first as I venture many other improvements will happen just by winning for a change.
Excuses Excuses Excuses
That the only thing the Bears organization excels at.
Let's be honest, the only reason both Pace and Nagy are still here is because the Bears are TOO CHEAP to fire them and to pay for 2 GM's and 2 HC salary for multiple years.
Listen to the Hoge and Jahns post conference podcast.
They talk about how terrible it was, and how it wouldn't have been that hard to talk about staying the course and having confidence in Pace/Nagy since they've been together. Dont remember how they exactly put it but there is a case to be made, mostly b/c turning over the GM/HC every 3-4 years is not a recipe for success.
My guess is they knew that there would be growing pains w/both as they are young and both were first time in their jobs, GM/HC. They should have known there would be mistakes early on but HH is likely looking for improvements from both that go beyond just winning. 670 earlier this week pointed out that nothing about what George or Ted said that made it sound like either were on the hot seat, and overall sounded like they were okay w/keeping them and not just for 1 more year unless it works. Basically it's just media/fans speculating(like we did last year).
I don't think it's that hard to believe that Pace/Nagy said they need a shot to draft/develop a qb together and that might well buy them another 2-3 years. It keeps being pointed out that HH will not tell anyone their contract lengths, which isn't that uncommon in most sports and most teams; so what if both were given extensions long enough to draft and develop a 2nd QB?
I agree that it takes time for young/new GMs and HCs to mature. Some do. Some don't. It boils down to whether or not the Ted Phillips and the McCaskeys believe these two will lead the franchise back to NFL relevance. Pace has brought in Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. I'm not saying he can't fix the QB position, but honestly I don't see evidence that he can. Doesn't mean he won't. It is just 3 strikes against him in my book (so far).
My gut feeling is that money drove this decision for the McCaskey family. With Ted Phillips blessing.