In terms of things that rank of importance this offseason, Ryan Pace’s press conference ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine ranks low on the list. Not because it’s not important, but because Pace is good at managing to say a lot without actually saying anything.
And still, here we are trying to analyze every word he says as if it holds some hidden meaning. Some of what Pace said could have a hidden meaning — like him choosing not to address Mitchell Trubisky’s fifth-year option until May. But most of what Pace says is a general overview of what we’ve already known.
Still, here are five takeaways from Pace’s press conference at the Scouting Combine:
1. Pace remains publicly committed to Mitchell Trubisky, but won’t commit to fifth-year option
While Ryan Pace continues to publicly back Mitchell Trubisky, it doesn’t exactly feel like it’s the same behind closed doors. When asked if the Bears would pick up Trubisky’s fifth-year option, Pace said that’s a decision that doesn’t have to be made until May. Not exactly the kind of affirmation you’d expect from a GM that is committed to his quarterback. I mean, Pace said last January that they would be picking up Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option, and he was true to his word.
It’s also worth noting that Trubisky is the only quarterback currently under contract for the Bears. So Trubisky is the only possible starter at this point, until Pace brings in competition through free agency and the NFL Draft. And that’s something Pace made abundantly clear. The Bears will be bringing in competition for Trubisky, which Pace claims should bring out the best in Trubisky. But if Pace was so confident in Trubisky as his quarterback, he wouldn’t have to keep reciting words of affirmation to convince everyone else.
2. Pace wants to create competition at every position
Something that both Pace and Matt Nagy made abundantly clear is they don’t want any player on this roster to get complacent when it comes to starting jobs. Pace discussed how competition brings out the best in everyone, which is true. But it felt more like a warning shot — I don’t care who you are, if you don’t perform, you could lose your starting job.
Obviously this felt more directed at Trubisky than anything else, although Pace was careful to reaffirm that there will be competition at every position. One of those battles outside of quarterback will be for the starting cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller, where currently Kevin Toliver and former CFL star Tre Roberson will be vying for that spot. But you figure Chicago will bring in a cheap veteran free agent and/or a young prospect to battle for that job.
It’s fair to wonder if the Bears’ message for the 2020 season has to do in some way with competing to be the best. Because competition seemed to be the word of the day following Tuesday’s press conferences.
3. Bears got better with new offensive hires
The Bears have a lot of work to do this offseason to improve the offense, and that started with the hiring of four new offensive coaches. Nagy brought in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone.
Pace believes that the Bears have gotten better by bringing in coaches that are tailored to the offense’s biggest needs. There’s plenty of coaching experience between the four of them, and they come with impressive resumes of their own. Obviously the question is how does Chicago’s offensive philosophy develop with four new minds in the room? Will there be a bigger emphasis on the run game? How will they work to establish an offensive identity as quickly as possible? Only time will tell at this point.
4. Pace has a plan in place to have enough cap space to make moves they need to make
The Bears aren’t exactly in the best position when it comes to their salary cap. Chicago freed up $13.5 million in salary cap space by cutting cornerback Prince Amukamara and receiver Taylor Gabriel. The Bears are currently around $27.1M in 2020 cap space, according to Over The Cap.
When Pace was asked about the Bears’ current salary cap situation, he insisted that there’s a plan in place to have enough cap space needed to make the moves they need to make this offseason. Pace believes the Bears don’t have as many holes to fill on the roster, but that doesn’t exactly feel like the case.
5. Bears aren’t done at tight end this offseason
One of the Bears’ biggest needs this offseason comes at the tight end position, which Chicago has wasted no time addressing already. The Bears signed former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris, who played with Matt Nagy during his time in Kansas City. But when Pace addressed the media, he made it clear that the Bears will explore the tight end position in free agency and the NFL Draft.
Given Nagy’s offense is predicated on the success of the tight end, that’s an area of need that ranks near the top of the list on the offense. There will be several high-profile tight ends on the free agent market, including Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and Eric Ebron, which you figure the Bears are targeting one of those players. But the NFL Draft also boasts a pretty deep tight end class, which should give Chicago their pick of tight ends in the second round.
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