The Bears Should Fire Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy After What Allen Robinson Said During His Season-Ending Press Conference
As expected, the Chicago Bears lost to the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 Wild Card Round by a final score of 21-9. No one, not even die-hard Bears fans, picked Chicago to upset the Saints since the team’s offense isn’t explosive and the defense was playing without some key players.
In head coach Matt Nagy’s first three years in Chicago, the Bears have made the playoffs twice. However, the team is 0-2 in the Wild Card Round, and Nagy is no longer a fan-favorite in Chicago due to his putrid play-calling. The same goes for general manager Ryan Pace, who will never recover from drafting Mitchell Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes despite acquiring Khalil Mack from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Bears face many tough decisions this offseason, with star wideout Allen Robinson’s contract situation being atop the list. The wide receiver becomes a free agent after Chicago’s front office failed to sign him to a contract extension during the season.
Most Bears fans want Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy fired, while some are open to giving the two men one more chance. However, after what Allen Robinson said during his season-ending press conference, it’s evident Chicago needs to fire Nagy and Pace.
Allen Robinson put up stellar numbers in 2020
Despite playing in Matt Nagy’s woeful offense and having two below-average quarterbacks throwing him the ball, Allen Robinson put up stellar numbers for the Bears in 2020. The 27-year-old recorded 102 receptions for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns.
Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles aren’t starting-caliber quarterbacks in the NFL, and Robinson still had a tremendous season for the Bears. Since signing with Chicago in 2018, Robinson has caught 255 balls for 3,151 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL and everyone in Chicago, from the fans to the players, loves Robinson.
Once the offseason period begins, both Trubisky and Robinson will become free agents. The prevailing thought is that the Bears and Trubisky will part ways since the former No. 2 overall draft pick hasn’t lived up to expectations in Chicago. Meanwhile, the Bears can franchise tag Robinson if Ryan Pace and the Pro Bowler’s agent can’t agree to a long-term contract.
The ownership group in Chicago, though, shouldn’t even allow Pace to come back next season after what transpired during the 2020 campaign.
The Bears treated Allen Robinson poorly
The Bears could have extended Allen Robinson’s contract during the season, but Ryan Pace foolishly didn’t. The Detroit native made it clear multiple times during the season that he wanted to stay in Chicago for the long-haul. However, Pace and the Bears kept playing hardball with their best offensive player.
Robinson said the Bears had 365 days to get something done with him contract-wise during his season-ending press conference. The explosive playmaker also made it seem like he’s not interested in signing the franchise tag with the Bears, which makes sense since Robinson wants long-term financial security.
Not only should the Bears fire Ryan Pace for drafting Mitchell Trubisky and not extending Allen Robinson, but Matt Nagy needs to be fired as well after what Robinson shared to Chicago reporters.
Bears players had no idea who was calling plays near the end of the season
Matt Nagy gave up play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor toward the end of the season. However, Allen Robinson told ESPN 1000 that players had no idea who was calling plays.
The Bears need to fire Nagy solely based on the fact that players weren’t sure who was calling the plays on offense. Ryan Pace needs to be fired, too, since he’s the guy who made the epic mistake of passing on Deshaun Watson, a move the Bears franchise may never recover from.
Stats courtesy of Football Reference.
