One day after concluding their disappointing 2021 season with a 31-17 loss to the Vikings, the Bears on Monday relieved general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy of their duties.
Bears chairman George H. McCaskey addressed the media via Zoom Monday afternoon to discuss the moves.
Hired to replace Phil Emery in 2015, Pace compiled records of 48-65 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs in seven years as Bears general manager.
During Pace's tenure, the Bears had one winning season. Under coach John Fox from 2015-17, they went 6-10, 3-13 and 5-11. In Nagy's first year in 2018, they rebounded to win the NFC North title with a 12-4 record. After the season, Pace was named NFL Executive of the Year and Nagy was chosen NFL Coach of the Year.
But the Bears failed to build off that success. They followed with seasons of 8-8, 8-8 and 6-11, dropping Nagy's career record to 34-33, including playoffs.
Since a 5-1 start in 2020, the Bears have lost 19 of 28 games, including a 21-9 wild-card playoff defeat to the Saints last season in New Orleans. After a 3-2 start this year, they dropped nine of their final 12 contests.
When Nagy was hired by the Bears after he spent five seasons as Chiefs quarterbacks coach (2013-15) and offensive coordinator (2016-17), he was entrusted with building a potent offense and developing a franchise quarterback. But the offense struggled throughout most of his four seasons, with the Bears ranking ninth, 29th, 22nd and 27th in scoring and 21st, 29th, 26th and 24th in total yards.
