The Chicago Bears have hired Ryan Pace as general manager, the team announced on Thursday afternoon.The team had been conducting the search for a new general manager since firing Phil Emery and head coach Mark Trestman at the end of the season. Emery lasted three seasons in Chicago, during which the team never made the postseason and bottomed out with a 5-11 record in 2014.
Bears hire Ryan Pace as general manager
The Chicago Bears have hired Ryan Pace as their general manager. Now the search for a head coach can begin.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Pace spent the past 14 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, including the last two years as Director of Player Personnel. In that role, Pace worked closely with general manager Mickey Loomis and oversaw the team's college and pro scouting operations.
Although this will be his first GM gig, his former boss admitted that he was ready to assume the responsibility of the job. “He’s talented. I would expect to lose him at some point,” Loomis told reporters on Tuesday.
Now that Pace has been selected, the search for a new head coach can begin. Reports have identified Adam Gace, Dan Quinn, Mike Shanahan and Todd Bowles as potential candidates, with Bowles interviewing for the position on Thursday.
The Bears are coming off their worst season in a decade and have now missed the playoffs in four consecutive years, the franchise's longest postseason drought since a six-season stretch from 1995-2000. The defense is in need of an upgrade in talent after finishing 30th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed. On offense, the biggest question is the future of quarterback Jay Cutler, who endured another disappointing, turnover-plagued season and is guaranteed $15.5 million in salary for 2015.
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