While Matt Nagy is enduring most of the heat lately for the Chicago Bears' three-game losing streak which culminated in an ugly 17-16 loss at home to the Chargers, the fact is several eyes are beginning to aim higher. GM Ryan Pace looked golden after the 2018 season. Almost all of his moves in the offseason worked to perfection. Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson were homerun signings. First round pick Roquan Smith became an instant contributor on defense. It all clicked.
However, there was one lingering problem. Pace's biggest draft pick wasn't progressing as many hoped. Mitch Trubisky may have gone to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, but nobody took him seriously as an ascending talent. That is why the upcoming 2019 season was so crucial. It was his third year in the NFL and second in Matt Nagy's QB-friendly offense. If he couldn't start to take off by now, then it shined a bad light on Pace and the decision to draft him.
His performance over the past two weeks has finally erased any doubts. He was pitiful for three quarters against the Saints and then delivered two backbreaking turnovers in the 4th quarter against the Chargers which paved the way for a Bears defeat and dropping to 3-4.
This is why former Bears Lance Briggs and Alex Brown came to the conclusion that for all the good Pace did building the roster, he must be held accountable for failing with the most vital pick of his tenure. With his job if necessary.
Ryan Pace is on uncertain ground more than ever
With the Bears hurtling towards a losing season and last place in the NFC North again, it's clear Pace is in trouble. He's backed himself into a corner. Not only did he leave the team without a 1st round pick in 2020 due to the trade for Khalil Mack, he also won't have a lot of money to spend in free agency either. This will make the mission of trying to find a new quarterback that much harder.
Now it's important to note that the man has done some really good work. He rebuilt this roster from basically nothing. However, at the end of the day everyone knows the quarterback decides everything. Few GMs in league history have surviving missing on a high draft choice at that position. Maybe Pace will be one of those few, but that depends on what the McCaskey family thinks of him as the season winds down.
