Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace have said from the start that their visions for the Chicago Bears are in sync. They both see things the same way and want to build this team in the same mold. That is what makes their relationship work and why despite numerous setbacks the Bears haven’t had a losing record yet in their three seasons together.

George McCaskey made the unpopular decision to retain both men after yet another disappointing end to the season. Though the Bears did sneak into the playoffs, it came after losing seven of their final 10 games. Then they were quickly bounced out of the first round by the New Orleans Saints 21-9. So what makes the Bears chairman so confident they can get this team over the hump? His big buzzword was collaboration.

“The thing that we’re very much looking forward to, and feel very positive about, is, again, a collaboration between Ryan and Matt,. That’ll be immensely helpful going into the upcoming draft.”

“Matt’s been involved in player personnel decisions since he arrived here. Of course, Ryan has the final say on selection and roster decisions, but it’s how well they work together. They have vigorous discussions, and we think that their collaboration will result in the right decisions for the Bears.”

For the most part, this sounds reasonable enough.

Except certain factors in play cannot and should not be ignored. For all the talk Pace has about having a good relationship with his head coach, it’s important to note that history doesn’t consistently support this. In fact, Nagy has some good reasons to not entirely trust the Bears GM when it comes to the most important part of the agenda this offseason.

Finding a quarterback.

Let’s remember a few things here. Pace is in the final year of his contract. At least according to what the Bears keep saying. Rumors persist he had an extra one tacked on back in 2019. It’s crystal clear either way that he enters 2021 squarely on the hot seat. He has to get this QB situation figured out or he is most likely fired by this time next year. When a guy like that is in survival mode? All bets should be off.

Matt Nagy should remember what Pace did to his predecessor

People tend to forget that collaboration certainly wasn’t on Pace’s mind back in 2017. Most just remember at this point that the Bears took Mitch Trubisky 2nd overall. They don’t remember the insane backstory behind that pick. None crazier than the fact that then-head coach John Fox didn’t know that was going to be the selection until a few hours before it took place. An incredible bit of deception on the part of Pace.

What makes it so much worse is if the GM had listened to his head coach at that time, the Bears may have taken Deshaun Watson instead of Trubisky. Watson was the one Fox wanted but Pace didn’t even bother to meet with the Clemson star in person prior to the draft. A mistake he continues to suffer from four years later. That’s the thing though. If he was willing to do that to Fox, why should Matt Nagy trust him this time?

People already know how Pace gets when he becomes enamored with a prospect.

Ask Trubisky, Leonard Floyd, Anthony Miller, and David Montgomery. He’ll do whatever is necessary to get them even if that means trading up. No price is too excessive. It is a big reason the Bears are in this predicament. What is to stop Pace from doing it again? All it takes is the quarterback saying or doing the right thing as Trubisky did four years ago. This will override the GM’s better judgment and he becomes immovable. His conviction overrides all.

Maybe Nagy can keep him focused on the big picture. That it’s more than being a good kid and naturally talented to play quarterback in the NFL. Then again that didn’t stop Pace once. It is hard to think it will a second time either.