The end-of-season Ryan Pace press conference was clearly a tense one for the Chicago Bears media. It’s hard to find optimism after a third-straight losing season and hearing a third head coach got fired since 2013. Nonetheless the GM, to his credit, didn’t back down from the aggressive questioning. He took the shots and reiterated his commitment to make the organization a winner.
Most might expect the conference itself was merely a prelude to events that will follow. In truth the 60-minute venture had quite a few revelations regarding Pace himself as well as his highly-anticipated search for a John Fox replacement. There were several small nuggets but a few highlights that stood out the most.
Ryan Pace contract extended through 2021
Team president Ted Phillips made it clear the Bears are still committed to the vision that Pace set when he took over in 2015. That is to build the roster through the draft, keep flexibility and eye sustained success. To that end it was announced that the team would be extending his contract through the 2021 season. It adds two years to his current deal. Some may be shocked by that, but shouldn’t.
#Bears president Ted Phillips announces GM Ryan Pace contract extension thru 2021 season.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) January 1, 2018
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Any coach they decide to target as a replacement for Fox must known they’re coming into a stable situation. That won’t be possible if they see a GM with only two years left on his deal. This extension was a vote of confidence but also a shrewd business move.
The next head coach will be his choice
Say this for Pace. He’s big on teamwork. One of the big questions going into the off-season was whether or not he would have say on the next coach or if that might be taken away by George McCaskey and Phillips. Pace stated that the search would be a collaborative effort of all three men and the rest of the organization. However the final say on the hire would fall to him. This means Pace will no doubt seek out a coach whom he believes fits his vision best for where the Bears want to go.
Mitch Trubisky will have input on the hire
Though he didn’t commit fully, Pace did hint that quarterback Mitch Trubisky might have some sway in who the next coach will be. That may come to shock some people. Quarterbacks are players. They shouldn’t have any business in this right? Wrong. Understand that few relationships are more important in football than the QB and the head coach. If it’s toxic (Eli Manning and Ben McAdoo) then it’s not going to work. The Bears have to make sure the next coach has chemistry with Trubisky, offensive background or not.
Ryan Pace says Bears are discussing Mitchell Trubisky having a say in who our next head coach: “It’s something we’re evaluating.”
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 1, 2018
Control of the 53-man roster remains his
One of the more overlooked keys to the upcoming coaching search will settle on command of the 53-man roster. Many candidates in the past have often sought out opportunities where they have such control. Names like Jim Harbaugh and Josh McDaniels are rumored to desire such considerations. If so then Chicago isn’t going to be the place for them.
Pace will continue to welcome a collaborative effort from the coaching staff towards building the best team possible. In the end though the decisions on personnel will remain with him. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing given some of his strong draft performances the past two years. Nonetheless certain coaches won’t like that.
