Bears general manager Ryan Pace spoke to play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM and 105.9 FM prior to Sunday's game against the Cardinals. The following is a transcript of that interview.
On win over Seahawks:
"I think it was an all-four quarter win. We're a young team, and responding well to a tough loss the previous week, I think that was good for us, and now we've got to respond after a win, and that's why today's important."
On the work the Bears coaches have done:
"It's a culmination of a lot of hard work, and it is a credit to our coaches. When you talk about defense, there's a lot of continuity on defense, especially with the staff, that I think carries over. That hard work, that transcends to other positions. We can talk about Jordan Howard catching the ball this year. So throughout the roster it's infectious, that work ethic, and you see it paying off."
On defense:
"I think one thing that stood out, especially in this last game, was just the physicality of the defense, the speed, the energy of the defense, and that stuff generates turnovers, and you see it and I think they all play off each other. You see it in practice every day. That's just a really good environment around our defense right now."
On linebacker Danny Trevathan:
"Obviously he's a good player. He's a great person. He's a great teammate. He brings a ton of energy, not just to our defense, but to our entire locker room. So when a guy works hard like that and has that kind of play demeanor, it's awesome to see it pay off."
On coach Matt Nagy connecting with team:
"It's easy for him because he's consistent, but he's also very authentic and it comes from the heart. So I think when you coach that way, when you speak to the team that way, it resonates because of the way he carries himself."
On how Nagy's mentality helps team:
"I think he puts it on himself too. 'Hey, all of us, me, everybody, we're all going to make mistakes, there's going to be ebbs and flows and ups and downs.' That's just part of this game, and you shrug it off, and you keep on going."
On linebacker Leonard Floyd's ability with new cast:
"The cast is greatly diminished so now he has the use of his fingers and his hand. Especially as a pass rusher when you're talking about using your hands, and grabbing cloth, and doing all the things you need to do to generate pass rush, he'll just have more freedom in that area."
On Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones:
"Seventeen sacks, that led the league last year. He's a dangerous player who's equally productive versus the run and pass. One of the things that's always stood out about him is his hand use in pass rush. He uses his hands really well to clear, and he's a dangerous player, and we'll have our hands full."
