After Trubisky struggled mightily in a disappointing 2019 season, his future and role with the team is the biggest question hanging over the Bears this offseason. He's under contract for 2020, but the Bears will have to make a decision about his fifth-year option this offseason. That salary figure for Trubisky is expected to be around $24 million in 2021.
"Right now, our focus is on free agency and the combine," Pace said.
"We have more pressing needs right now for us. The trigger date isn't until May, so we have time on that."
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Pace expressed his faith in Trubisky at a season-ending press conference on Dec. 31, saying the Bears will move forward with him as their starter. He reiterated his faith in him again Tuesday, citing his accuracy, athleticism and work ethic as his strengths.
"We believe in Mitch," Pace said. "Mitch knows he needs to be better. We need to be better around him, and that's our goal."
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Trubisky regressed in his third NFL season. He completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over 15 games, and his 39.5 QBR was 28th out of the 30 qualifying quarterbacks. The Bears went 8-8 and missed the playoffs after winning the NFC North in 2018.
While he had praise for Trubisky, Pace also left the door open for competition.
"Our players, they know what's best for the team -- and what's best for the team is creating competition everywhere," Pace said. "And that's our goal."
Does that mean you'd like to have another quarterback capable of competing for the starting role?
"Throughout our team, that's what we want," Pace said. "Everybody's fighting for starting jobs, and that's what we want to create."
Trubisky had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder after the season ended, but he's expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp in July, Pace said.