(670 The Score) The buzz is growing across the NFL that the Bears will retain general manager Ryan Pace, veteran reporter Brad Biggs reported in the Tribune and explained on the Mully & Haugh Show on Friday.
"There are folks in a lot of different corners of the league right now that say rumblings are Ryan Pace could survive and remain employed and head into an eighth season with the Bears – potentially with a new title," Biggs said on the Mully & Haugh Show. "He could be spared. And (coach) Matt Nagy, no one questions whether or not he will be fired at this point."
Biggs stopped short of reporting the decision has been made, noting that it's going to be a really hard sell for Bears chairman George McCaskey to tell fans that Pace is being retained after leading the team to a 48-66 mark across seven seasons as Chicago enters its season finale at Minnesota this Sunday. The Bears haven't won a playoff game under Pace's direction. Biggs also added there are others across the NFL who still expect Pace to be fired, but that group holds the minority opinion at this time.
"The Pace thing, the more you look at it, that's going to be a very difficult move in my opinion for George McCaskey to sort of outline, explain and ultimately defend if he feels he has to defend his actions to the fan base," Biggs said.
If the Bears do keep Pace, the big question is what his new role will entail. Will he remain in the same general manager position? Will he be elevated to president of football operations with full control of the roster? Or could his job title change and full roster control be given to a newly hired general manager?
"You could make him the president of football operations and hire a GM and the GM could have total control of the roster, but he would report to Ryan Pace," Biggs said in outlining one option. "In that kind of scenario, maybe (president) Ted Phillips – who isn't going anywhere, they're going to need Ted Phillips to help shepherd a project in Arlington Heights for a new stadium – maybe Ted gets a slightly modified title in that type of scenario and then they hire a GM and coach. I'm telling you – that's what well-intentioned people around the league think is a possibility. Again, the longer you sit there and look at this thing, I just don't know how George gets on a Zoom … and explains that."
