For the third time in four seasons, Bears will hire a defensive coordinator.
Chuck Pagano will retire, according to several sources in the league. The longtime defensive coach and former Colts head coach have led the Bears’ defense for the past two seasons. It ranked in the top 10 both seasons according to the DVOA Football Outsiders method.
Matt Nagy will be the one to do the hiring, as he and GM Ryan Pace are expected to return for the 2021 season.
However, the defense did not meet expectations, given the stellar strength on that side of the ball. After leading the league in 2018 under Vic Fangio with 36 payments, the Bears combined for 37 in Pagano’s two seasons. The rush has also dropped – after 50 sacks in ’18, the Bears recorded 32 in ’19 and 34 last season.
In the playoff loss to the Saints, the defense had one of his best performances compared to how he played against the Lions, Packers and Vikings …