(670 The Score) Bears general manager Ryan Pace expressed support for coach Matt Nagy's decision to make a quarterback change, with Mitchell Trubisky benched in favor of Nick Foles.
In the third quarter at Atlanta last Sunday, Foles replaced Trubisky and then rallied the Bears to a 30-26 win against the Falcons after they trailed by 16. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Trubisky is now the Bears' backup quarterback behind Foles.
"A hundred percent trust and confidence in Matt (Nagy)," Pace said on the WBBM Newsradio 780 pregame show Sunday. "Those decisions are sensitive and delicate, especially when you're talking about the quarterback position. But Matt's got a great feel for what the team needs and obviously we won the game. I felt like he knew it would light a spark. Coming back 16 points down against a tough team on the road. Matt and I talk all the time about the different scenarios and key decisions, and we're on the same page and march forward together.
"It's definitely not a simple decision. But I think what keeps it simple for us and clean for us is that if you just come back to, every time, what's best for the Chicago Bears to win football games right now, period. And if you keep it simple like that, it gives you clarity in these moments."
The 26-year-old Trubisky was drafted by the Bears ahead of class peers and star quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, with the decision proving to be Pace's greatest misfire in leading Chicago's front office. Trubisky had completed 59.3% of his passes for 560 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions before being benched for Foles last week.
Foles, 31, completed 55.2% of his passes for 188 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in relief of Trubisky. Pace and Trubisky had a conversation last week about the Bears' decision.
"He's such a competitor," Pace said. "Obviously he's disappointed. He wants to be the starter and really we expect that from any player on our team to have that kind of mindset. He's still very much a leader of this team and he will be all season. He came in this week ready to roll, working hard, helping to prepare us for the Colts. He's been stepping up and supporting Foles just like Foles did for him when he was backing up.
"Both those guys are great people and they support each other and it's authentic, and I think it starts there. And the relationship in that quarterback room is really, really important."
The Bears (3-0) host the Colts (2-1) on Sunday at Soldier Field in what will be the first start for Foles with the team.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
