The first domino of the 2021 Chicago Bears offseason fell on Tuesday evening when it was reported that defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano will be retiring at age 60 after spending 20 years in the NFL.
Pagano, who spent the last two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator, took over for Vic Fangio when he accepted a head coaching position with the Denver Broncos. The former Indianapolis Colts head coach inherited a talented unit led by players such as outside linebacker Khalil Mack, defensive end Akiem Hicks, and safety Eddie Jackson.
In two seasons, the Bears defense regressed under Pagano and did not live up the standards set back in 2018. While they didn’t bottom out, they failed to build on their previous success and teams were able to beat the schemes put in place despite having multiple Pro Bowlers at his disposal.
When the news came out, Bears fans had plenty to say on Twitter:
Let's hope this isn't everything but not exactly shocked about Pagano gone. He took premium ingredients and served up vanilla ice cream in a Styrofoam cup with a tiny tasting spoon. It's fine but so much more potential. Let's hope they go young/ creative at D Coordinator. #bears https://t.co/0zd4rA6MRF pic.twitter.com/TXh3yiW7Ww
— JB – Temporary Rams Fan (@gridironborn) January 13, 2021
An absolute LEGEND hanging up the whistle.. The NFL will miss him.
I hope he decides to get into the media world. EPIC human. https://t.co/DVEjcyRMSA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 13, 2021
Hilarious https://t.co/fvQH9K7rW1
— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) January 13, 2021
He took this job as a quick way to another head coaching job because of the defense. Now he’s retiring man life comes at you fast lol https://t.co/g9IOhDNtlB
— Tony Gill (@thetonygill) January 13, 2021
Bent and broken. Took an elite defense and passively made it unmistakably average. Wonder it Rex Ryan is busy. 😳😂 #bears #beardown https://t.co/SEpKfZTiw1
— Kevin Fiddler (@KFidds) January 13, 2021
Get Jay Rodgers to that interview table yesterday. https://t.co/sb2HIa3CgH
— Butkus Stats & Analytics (@ButkusStats) January 13, 2021
Honestly, just happy the dude is healthy, and will get to walk his daughters down the aisle. https://t.co/7Tu6RNTLha
— Jeremy Stevenson (@MyColtsAccount) January 13, 2021
Well, that solves that. At least he went out on his own terms. #DaBears https://t.co/7quJ26uMUg
— Duke Coughlin (@ThatPodGuyDuke) January 13, 2021
Wow! Huge hit. Did a great job with that unit with such big shoes to fill. https://t.co/O6mdffYxW7
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 13, 2021
Packers scored 76 points against Pagano's defense in 2020. https://t.co/AHFhf8baJU
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) January 13, 2021
Working for Matt Nagy must suck https://t.co/MBeTUPfQNb
— Johnny Five (@JohnMurachanian) January 13, 2021
Nickelodeon killed Chuck Pagano's career https://t.co/8HxCrFDdo7
— Brend@n (@ChiBDM) January 13, 2021
Ya know what Chuck, we all suck at our jobs sometimes lol. But make no mistake, It doesnt take away from how much of an absolute rock star you are. #ChuckStrong still got wanting to run through a brick wall. You're a king and i hope you enjoy your golden years https://t.co/AxgH8OY6Pv
— My name IS Ric (@TheHolyRicardo) January 13, 2021
We’ll always have Chuck-isms. He did so much for cancer patients and fundraising in Indy, what a good man. https://t.co/E26ABGeEAy
— jj 🏈➡️🏀 (@JJ_dds) January 13, 2021
Respect to Chuck Pagano. The league passed him by and it's good that he is bowing out https://t.co/hvduVDl28c
— Rich Anthony (@True_Rys) January 13, 2021
I would retire too after that performance #Bears https://t.co/Qd2uKqVgWO
— Ky Duffield (@KyDuffield) January 13, 2021
I ain’t mad… not one bit. #Bears https://t.co/e43zPr8rJc
— Ken Merrill-Cooke (@kenyada17) January 13, 2021
Congrats to Bears fans for their one good move this offseason. https://t.co/F0qoTQqjdP
— Jeff Hill (@redsox4evur_os) January 13, 2021
And here’s the #Bears scapegoat. Would have fired him instead of Pace or Nagy, but let him retire. We all knew this was happening. https://t.co/pb3ERIruF9
— Matt Horner (@MattyBets__) January 13, 2021
Bears should call Jim Schwartz- that defense should make him think twice about sitting out https://t.co/CSZrVWVge0
— A. (@iamAdryan_) January 13, 2021
I’m glad for Chuck. He’s a great guy. https://t.co/RZuWVEtDTz
— Alex Abrams (@AlexAbrams_22) January 13, 2021
So Chuck Pagano retires. NO ONE gets fired, despite an offensive failure every year and a 5-1 start that turned into 5-6. Got it. #DaBears
— Dom 🥶 #FireEveryone (@DROYJohnson) January 13, 2021
I like Chuck, but it’s time to get someone in there that’s going to get our defense back to where it was under Vic. Now fire Pace and Phillips and that’ll be a good start. https://t.co/kOQrLctJkF
— Casey Hofherr (@Chofherr) January 13, 2021
Before Chuck Pagano retired officially, he requested to drop @FiftyDeuce into coverage one last time. #Bears
— ✶ SM✶ East (@Eastman5) January 13, 2021
Hire Lovie Smith as the DC bring back the Tampa 2 https://t.co/tqBxmmIC2F
— SpiffyG Jody (@ThatBoy_Jody) January 13, 2021
