Jeremiah Ratliff Exit Further Proves Ryan Pace Fears Nothing

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (90) against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

One would think being 37-years old and the youngest GM in the National Football League might make a guy like Ryan Pace feel a little bit in over his head. After all, he’s running one of the landmark franchises in the game with one of the largest, most passionate and outspoken fan bases supporting it. Honestly, that can be a bit intimidating.

Then again, to paraphrase a comment once made about General Ulysses S. Grant, “Ryan don’t scare worth a damn.”

Proof of that came through again when reports came out of Halas Hall that he had gotten into a heated argument with veteran defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, at which point player was escorted off the premises by security.

Jeremiah Ratliff was escorted out of Halas Hall on Wed. by #Bears team security. Ratliff had an animated exchange with GM Ryan Pace outside.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 22, 2015

Per sources, my understanding: There was "isolated incident" re: Jeremiah Ratliff, then exchange with GM Pace, today his release. #Bears
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 22, 2015

Lake Forest police were later stationed at Halas Hall on Wed. after #Bears security escorted Jeremiah Ratliff off Halas Hall premises.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 22, 2015

Ratliff was soon cut afterwards, and the Bears swiftly replaced him with 28-year old former Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood. It’s a bizarre ending to the brief career Ratliff had in Chicago. At the same time, it offered further validation that Pace was more than just a figurehead at the top of the organization.

He is what the more crude sports fans would call the M.F.I.C.

In other words, Pace doesn’t fear making the big decisions, regardless of what people on the outside may think. This is his team and he’s going to build it his way. Players who don’t agree with that, like Ratliff apparently, won’t stick around very long. Either you fully embrace what this team is trying to do or find a job somewhere else.

Pace has already made several moves that back up this mode of thinking:

Fired prominent, long-time scouts
Traded Brandon Marshall
Kept Jay Cutler
Cut Tim Jennings
Traded Jared Allen
Trade Jon Bostic

None of these moves were very popular at the time, but all have served the purpose of making this Chicago Bears team what Ryan Pace wants it to be. In the end, it’s time to give him some respect. Other GMs wouldn’t have the guts to make moves like that and find ways to navigate past them.

Next: Why Christian Hackenberg May Be Chicago Bears Ideal Solution

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