There has been much talk in the Chicago sports media about the general repugnance of the Bears GM and head coaching positions. If one had no access to information outside The Tribune and The Score one would think taking over a leadership role inside the Bears organization was viewed similarly to taking over a maximum security prison with only a fly swatter and a Wiffle ball bat as protection.
Yet, here is Ryan Pace. Having rejected multiple opportunities to interview for positions that did not fit his specific criteria, Pace enthusiastically pursued the Bears GM gig. Here is Ryan Pace, not phased in the least by supposedly poisonous existence of Ted Phillips in a position of power. Boy does that spill hot coffee on the morning motives of certain folks.
What do we know about Ryan Pace?
When asked if he could describe what makes Pace so talented, Loomis said, “Yes, I can, but I don’t like to. I kind of feel like he’s been our secret for a while.”
“But look, he’s a great, young personnel director,” Loomis continued. “He’s got a great eye for talent and guys that fit with what we are doing and what we want to do. He’s very talented. He’s a guy that we’re going to lose at some point.”
Pace originally joined the Saints in 2001 as an assistant in areas like game-day and training-camp operations before working his way up through the scouting department. He was promoted last year from pro scouting director into his current role, where he oversees all pro and college scouting.
- Many inside the Saints also believed he was quickly rising as heir apparent to Mickey Loomis.
- Pace is part of a winning organization and has earned the affection of Sean Payton.
There is no such thing as a home run hire when it comes to the acquisition of a new GM. Nobody knows how a personnel man will perform when escalated to the top spot in an organization’s front office. But the Bears have chosen a young star they hope will lead them for the next decade or more. Only time will tell if that decision was wise.
