Chicago Bears Press Conference: McCaskey to Address Firing of Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace

George McCaskey to address media after firing Nagy, Pace originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

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(NOTE: This story was updated in real-time to reflect what is said during the 1 p.m. press conference. Click here for a full recap.)

Change is on the way. The Chicago Bears announced both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace were relieved of their duties.

It comes after the first losing season in the Nagy era, but the latest step down from a transcendent 12-4 season in 2018. Nagy was brought in as an offensive and quarterback guru, but the Bears struggled in both of those areas.

And at 1 p.m. CT, Bears chairman George H. McCaskey will address the media on Zoom from Halas Hall.

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It's notable because it's McCaskey speaking and not Ted Phillips, because these decisions were under Phillips' domain.

Before Monday, there was some speculation and rumors that Phillips could become more focused on the business side of things and Pace might be promoted to head of football operations, still clearing the way for another general manager to come into the fold.

While that didn't ultimately happen, Phillips not speaking to the media on Monday seems to indicate some of that shuffling at the top of the organization might have come to fruition.

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Answers will become clearer Monday afternoon.

Here's the latest from NBC Sports Chicago reporters:

Ted Phillips is on the Zoom call and will answer questions.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

In his opening statement, George McCaskey mentions Matt Nagy's son getting boo'd at his high school playoff game, calling it "Shameful and inexcusable ... coaches' kids should be off limits."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

George McCaskey: "The general manager will be responsible for the entire football operation."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

Bill Polian will be involved in the #Bears GM/HC search.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

Ted Phillips remains President/CEO of the Bears.

New GM will have full control of football ops.

Sounds like how Front office is organized is not changing.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroCHSN) January 10, 2022

The next GM will report to George McCaskey going forward, not to Ted Phillips. Phillips will otherwise remain his role.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

McCaskey says ideally the GM will be hired first, but he doesn't rule out hiring a head coach first.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

“The primary quality we’ll be looking for in our GM and head coach will be leadership.”

-George McCaskey
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroCHSN) January 10, 2022

Why is Ted Phillips still involved in the GM search if the GM won't report to him?

George McCaskey says he continues to trust Ted and Ted will be the one negotiating the contract with the new GM.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

George McCaskey said the board informed him that they would like him to continue in his role as chairman.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

Ted Phillips: "The hiring of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy, I don't regret that."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

Important quote from Ted Phillips on Arlington: "The focus for longterm development is exclusively on that property in Arlington Park."

Says the closing should be completed by first quarter of 2023. At that point, they'll determine if it financial feasible to develop it further.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 10, 2022

McCaskey also pointed to the fact that in two games the offense scored their only TD of the game on a meaningless last play of the game.

I believe those games were this year’s MNF loss to the Vikings and last season’s Wild Card loss to the Saints.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroCHSN) January 10, 2022

The one thing George McCaskey would’ve done differently in regards to how the team handled rumors they’d told Nagy he’d been fired around Thanksgiving:

Talking to Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace and the team sooner.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroCHSN) January 10, 2022

Tonight, at 6 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago will air a special edition of the Football Aftershow to recap the news and what McCaskey told the media. Host David Kaplan will be joined by former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt and insider Adam Hoge.

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