Bears general manager Ryan Pace received a two-year contract extension Monday, the same day he fired coach John Fox.
The Bears are 14-34 since Pace took over in 2015 and hired Fox as coach. Despite that record, team President and CEO Ted Phillips said ownership continues to see in Pace characteristics of a successful GM.
The extension puts Pace under contract for the next four seasons, which would sync with a contract for a new head coach, putting them on the same timeline.
"We wanted to make sure that we presented the best possible landing place for any candidate, and we thought that was appropriate," Chairman George McCaskey said.
Phillips praised Pace's leadership and communication skills and other abilities running the Bears football operation.
"He shows a clear vision of how to put together a winning team," Phillips said. "He's always striving to find better ways to get that competitive edge. His management skills _ he understands what the coaches need. He understands about how to develop players.
"He's done a great job of developing trust between the scouting staffs and the coaching staffs. He has excellent communication skills throughout the organization. And probably most importantly, he's learned how to be a decisive decision-maker. He has the instincts to see talent. He's taken calculated risks in the draft and in free agency, while at the same time maintaining an eye on roster flexibility, salary-cap flexibility."
