It’s crazy to think with six games left in the season that most Chicago Bears talk has centered around the futures of GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. That is what happened when a team goes from 5-1 to 5-5 in what appears to be a death spiral. This would mark the second consecutive year they’ve squandered a strong start. Remember they were 3-1 in 2019 before sagging the rest of the way.
If the Bears go from 5-1 to 8-8 or even a losing record? It would be difficult for George McCaskey and the team brass to justify keeping Pace and Nagy. Especially given the array of mistakes they’ve made that led to this crisis. Two poor decisions at quarterback in Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles. A neglected offensive line. Maybe even mistreatment of their lone star in Allen Robinson.
Would McCaskey execute a housecleaning?
At least one Bears insider isn’t so sure. John Mullin has covered the team for many years, most recently for NBC Sports Chicago. He has a deep understanding of how this organization works, particularly in regards to the McCaskey family and team president Ted Phillips. In a conversation with colleague JJ Stakevitz, he indicated a more likely scenario.
One Chicago just watched play out in Detroit. Coming into 2020, Lions GM Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia were given an ultimatum by ownership. Either make the playoffs or lose their jobs. After dropping to 4-7 on the season in a blowout loss to Houston, both men were summarily fired. Mullin seems to think Pace and Nagy could face the exact same stipulation going into 2021.
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Chicago Bears aren’t in the same situation Detroit was though
There is a major key difference between what the Lions did and this team. That being the quarterback position. Detroit already had their guy in place with Matthew Stafford. There was never any doubt of that. The Bears have no such option. Mitch Trubisky will be a free agent. Nick Foles is injured and played poorly most of the time he was the starter anyway. It’s clear this team needs a reboot at that position.
So McCaskey has to wrestle with a difficult question. Is he willing to let Pace and Nagy choose the next quarterback for this franchise despite the real possibility they could be fired after 2021? That seems like an incredibly reckless thing to do. Everybody knows missing on a highly-drafted QB can set a team back years. Just look at what happened with the Trubisky misfire.
That doesn’t seem like the wisest play.
The Chicago Bears have to make absolutely sure they’re committed to Pace and Nagy next year. Not just in 2021 but perhaps beyond if you plan to let them draft a quarterback. Otherwise, the smart thing to do is wipe the slate clean. Let the next GM and head coach pick the next quarterback together. This team has tried the mix and match game for years. Phil Emery and Marc Trestman to Jay Cutler. Nagy to Trubisky. It hasn’t worked.
It’s time for them to let all three of those vital spots come together at the same time so everybody is on the same page.