State of the Bears: Ryan Pace Wins Some Vital Support
On a Thursday night when one of Ryan Pace's great draft mistakes was showcased in the NFL season opener, the Bears general manager could at least take comfort in the fact he's doing some things very well in the eyes of those who make decisions on his employment.
If Pace is going to fall short of the standard needed to receive a new contract, it's going to be due to something related directly to the team's record because Bears board chairman George McCaskey said Pace is lighting it up in leading the team through the pandemic's hazards. The same is true for coach Matt Nagy regarding the COVID-19 challenge.
"First, we need to make sure we get in a full season," McCaskey said "We are taking it on a game-by-game basis. That's part of it.
"I think more broadly this is a challenge for everybody so part of the evaluation is seeing how he responds in his role as general manager to the challenge. I've been very impressed in what I've seen so far and we expect that top level performance to continue through the season."
Pace's contract expires after 2021 so if the team wanted to give him an extension it's likely to come at some point before next season. The evaluation will have to take COVID-19 into account.
"I've been impressed with his and Matt's leadership during these chaotic, challenging times," McCaskey said. "They've come up with a good plan, they're executing it well.
"And I've got to give the players a lot of credit, too. We're asking a lot of them, in terms of personal discipline and conduct away from the facility. It's been very encouraging to see so far."
McCaskey wouldn't get too specific about the other ways Pace will be evaluated.
"Well, with that particular position, it's one of leadership primarily," McCaskey said. "He's in charge of the entire football operation. So that's a factor.
"Winning, of course, is part of the assessment. And then his personnel, his supervision of the personnel department, scouting department. Things of that nature."
The Bears have been in the playoffs once in Pace's first five years. He engineered a franchise-changing trade for Khalil Mack, but also made the move spotlighted by Thursday night's NBC game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans when he traded up in 2017 to take Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 instead of drafting Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson No. 3 overall.
So about that quarterback battle and its result, Mitchell Trubisky, who won the starting spot over Nick Foles. What does McCaskey think of the entire situation?
If McCaskey thinks the QB decision is a blow to Pace's cause, he's not tipping his hand.
"Well, I think we have it solved with two strong candidates," McCaskey said. "Mitchell is No. 1 and a proven performer, Nick, at No. 2.
"So we'll just have to see what happens beginning Sunday."
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