Chicago Bears: Time For the Ryan Pace Report Card
By Erik Lambert
Final Assessment
Ryan Pace isn’t on as hot a seat as John Fox is right now. He’s had a bit more success at his job. Trubisky, Floyd, Howard, Cohen, Jackson and Hicks form what could be a tremendous core to build around moving forward. All are 27-years old or younger. All were acquired by Pace. That can’t be dismissed out of hand. Yet it also doesn’t erase his shortcomings.
To this point Pace has largely flunked two key aspects of general managing. He failed to find the right head coach and he’s failed to find enough quality contributors in free agency. That second one isn’t so bad but the first is everything. Most GMs find out fast that it’s not their roster building that gets them fired. It’s their failure to find the right head coach. Ask Phil Emery how things might’ve been different had he gone with Bruce Arians over Marc Trestman.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Titanic Coastal Quarterback Shift
Pace has two years left on his contract. That likely means 2018 is going to be his high noon. He has to put the finishing touches on this puzzle he’s been assembling the past few years. If the Bears continue to show little progress, then odds are he’ll be gone. It comes down to how aggressive he’s willing to be now that he has his quarterback. Is he willing to make the bold changes to ensure Trubisky’s success?
We’re going to find out.