The Bears final press conference of the 2019 season came and went with many quick answers, a few bold statements and lots of praise for a team that underachieved in almost every way.
Speaking to the media for the first time since early September, general manager Ryan Pace, along with coach Matt Nagy, expressed frustration for the team’s lack of success, but maintained belief in their core players and the system in place to right the ship and steer the team back to the postseason.
With the rather short availability of roughly 30 minutes, Pace and Nagy gave their answers to the media’s tough questions. Here are my five biggest takeaways from what the Bears’ brass had to say.
1. Pace and Nagy are committed to Mitchell Trubisky – but only to an extent
When asked about quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and whether he’d be the starter going into 2020, Pace was quick to say yes. It’s not surprising, given he has one more guaranteed year under contract and they gain nothing by showing their hand and creating a quarterback controversy in late December.
But they did stress the need to bring in additional competition with quarterbacks Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray entering free agency. Pace also wouldn’t commit to picking up Trubisky’s fifth-year option, a decision that must be made this spring. Chances are the Bears find someone this offseason to push Trubisky, but the front office still sees promise in the now-veteran quarterback.
2. The Bears were cowards for firing their coaches after the press conference
One area of the team that was going to be looked at was the coaching staff and Pace deferred to Nagy, who said they are “working through that.” They worked fast, apparently, because four coaches were fired just hours later. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, tight end coach Kevin Golbride, and assistant special teams coordinator Brock Olivo were all let go following the press conference.
To let the coaches go with no explanation when there was a prime opportunity to do so with this press conference was cowardly. While Nagy and Pace would likely not get into specifics, they could have addressed the situation once head on, but instead decided to play coy and announce the decision behind closed doors.
3. Leonard Floyd will be a part of the team in 2020
One of the many question marks heading into the offseason is what would the team do regarding outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. After picking up his fifth-year option for 2020 last spring worth over $13 million, Floyd responded with arguably his worst season as a pro. He only had three sacks and three tackles for losses, both career lows despite starting all 16 games. Pace, however, said he was pleased with the former Georgia Bulldog’s production.
“We’re happy with Leonard,” he said. “I know the stats don’t always say that but Leonard does a lot of things that I think maybe goes undervalued.”
Pace spoke to his versatility and how well he plays the run, but wouldn’t get into his contract situation. It is possible the Bears try and extend him to lower his cap hit for 2020 while keeping him on the team. But one way or another, it looks like Floyd will be back on the field for the Bears next season.
4. Anthony Miller may never reach his potential
The 2019 season was a roller coaster for Miller, who barely registered in the box score for the first half of the year, but he exploded in the second half, putting together a string of impressive performances and solidifying his role as a go-to target for Trubisky. But a left-shoulder injury on Sunday now requires surgery, according to Pace, and the talented sophomore receiver will be spending another offseason rehabbing.
Miller should be ready to return by training camp, but another shoulder injury is a major blow for him and now raises concerns he may never reach the potential he had coming out of Memphis in 2018 due to his injury concerns. Can he stay healthy while taking hits on the field? Pace also confirmed linebacker Roquan Smith (pectoral) and tight end Trey Burton (hip) had surgery and should be ready for camp as well.
5. Actions speak louder than words
Like the coaching decision, none of this means much in the grand scheme of things. The Bears say they “plan” to have Trubisky remain the starter but plans change. The coaching staff already looks vastly different from this morning and chances are the roster will follow suit before the Bears kick off the 2020 season in September.
The front office will never divulge much publicly and rarely throw anyone under the bus. For fans outraged or questioning some decisions, the indicators of how Nagy and Pace see this team will be in free agency, the draft, and training camp where roster decisions will truly be made.
