Bears notebook: Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace salute retiring defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano

“What he’s brought to us and what he’s taught us — everybody in our family here — is second to none,” Nagy said. “He’s sacrificed. His family’s sacrificed so much for him, and now it’s time for him to sacrifice for them. He’s at total peace [with] that.’’

SHARE Bears notebook: Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace salute retiring defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano
merlin_88069389.jpg

The Bears defense ranked 11th in yards and 14th in points allowed in 2020 under coordinator Chuck Pagano.

Paul Sancya, AP Photos

The Bears will have their third defensive coordinator in four seasons when the 2021 season begins, but the next one won’t have quite the shoes to fill that Chuck Pagano had. 

Pagano, 60, announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after two seasons with the Bears, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. 

Bears coach Matt Nagy said it was Pagano’s decision.

“What he’s brought to us and what he’s taught us — everybody in our family here — is second to none,” Nagy said. “He’s sacrificed. His family’s sacrificed so much for him and now it’s time for him to sacrifice of them. He’s at total peace [with] that, so I just [say] thank you, coach for that. He’s gonna be a great granddad and enjoy that family time.

A former head coach with the Colts (2012-17), Pagano had the unenviable task of replacing Vic Fangio after the Bears’ defense had one of the best seasons in their history — leading the NFL in scoring defense (16.4 points allowed per game), interceptions (27), takeaways (36) and touchdowns (six). 

Though still one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Bears were unable to maintain that standard under Pagano. Despite playing without defensive end Akiem Hicks for 12 games in 2019, the Bears were fourth in scoring, eighth in yards, ninth in rushing, ninth in passing and ninth in third-down conversions.

This year, playing without nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who opted out of the 2020 season because of concerns about the coronavirus, the Bears were 11th in yards, 14th in points, 17th in sacks (35), 24th in interceptions (10) and ninth in third-down conversions. They hung tough in the end — the Bears held the Saints to their lowest first-half scoring total this season with Drew Brees (seven points) in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game, before wilting in the second half of a 21-9 loss.

“After 36 years of coaching the game I love, I have decided to retire from the National Football League,” Pagano said in a statement released by the Bears. “I’d like to sincerely thank the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. Also, many thanks to the Irsay family and the Colts organization. I am forever grateful to that community and to the support they have always given me both on and off the field. I’d also like to thank all the coaches, players and staff throughout my career. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude.

“As much as I love coaching, it takes a lot of time away from your family and loved ones. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life and can’t wait to be able to spend more time with my family. This has been an amazing ride and I have made countless relationships that I will cherish forever.”

Nagy figures to have several options to replace Pagano. The Bears’ defense still is a plum coordinator’s job. But Nagy’s shaky job status heading into the 2021 season might be a deterrent. 

Nagy could promote a position coach for the sake of continuity. Outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino was the coordinator for Pagano with the Colts in 2016-17. Defensive line coach Jay Rodgers is well regarded and coached under Fangio from 2015-18. Safeties coach Sean Desai also coached under Fangio and has been with the Bears since 2013. 

Pace open on tagging A-Rob

Bears general manager Ryan Pace indicated he would use the franchise tag to retain free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson, despite Robinson indicating a clear disdain for the tag. 

Pace refused to get into details of negotiations with Robinson, who was miffed most of the season that he did not get a contract extension after catching 98 passes for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. Robinson caught 102 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns in 2020.

“There are a lot of things we’ve got to work through and … obviously that’s a big decision and a big part of it,” Pace said. “You know how we feel about Allen, how respected he is in the building.

“With regard to the franchise tag, I would just say everything is on the table. The league gives us tools for a reason, but we’re gonna keep those talks internal out of respect to Allen [and] his agent.”

No surgery for Khalil Mack

Pace said he does not anticipate any players requiring major surgery in the offseason, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who played through a shoulder injury among other maladies this season. And presumably linebacker Roquan Smith, who suffered an elbow injury against the Packers and missed the wild-card game against the Saints. 

“[Mack’s] shoulder, that was real and I think we appreciate the way he fought through that,” Pace said. 

Pace also said running back Tarik Cohen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 against the Falcons, is rehabbing at Halas Hall. “We are hopeful to have him ready for training camp,” Pace said. 

The Latest
The acquisition of Tamarack Farms makes Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge a more impactful designation and creates within Hackmatack a major macrosite for conservation.
The man was found unresponsive in an alley in the 10700 block of South Lowe Avenue, police said.
The man suffered head trauma and was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.
Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will “inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities.”
Women make up just 10% of those in careers such as green infrastructure and clean and renewable energy, a leader from Openlands writes. Apprenticeships and other training opportunities are some of the ways to get more women into this growing job sector.