Bears' Nagy, Pace retain their jobs despite a season that has spun out of control

Bears fans hoping heads would roll Monday were sorely disappointed.

Matt Nagy is still the coach. Ryan Pace is still the general manager. Ted Phillips is still president.

They have managed to dodge the bullet and live another day, despite the Bears' losing streak reaching six games after a sickening 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field.

And what a truly memorable meltdown it was.

It was one that came against a team missing its top wide receiver, playing its first game under an interim head coach that had allowed an average of 32.6 points in the previous five contests.

Yet, the Bears blew it. And in the process probably blew their chances of making the playoffs.

Again.

It continues a long, sad and pathetic stretch in which this franchise has five playoff appearances in 25 years.

This new era — if it even qualifies as an ‘era' yet — began with great promise as Nagy won Coach of the Year honors after a 12-4 campaign.

Almost nothing has gone right since.

After a 3-1 start last season, the Bears lost four of five en route to an 8-8 record. This season began with even more promise, but Nagy has been unable to stop the bleeding after losses to the Rams, Saints and Titans.

These last 3 losses are really an indictment on the entire staff. How do you not figure out a way to beat the Vikings and Lions, and at least compete with the Packers with an extra week to prepare?

It's truly unforgivable.

Yet, Nagy's job is secure. As is Pace's.

For now anyway.

“We haven't had any of those discussions,” Nagy said when asked if he's worried about his status. “My job is to make sure that I'm taking care of these players and this team. When that time comes, we (would) have those discussions.

“We have four games left, and I just appreciate where our guys are at. I appreciate where our coaches are at. ...

“I know it sounds monotonous. Trust me, I understand it. I know it's frustrating for all of us and it just seems like the same thing over and over. We know that, so we've got to get that win.”

Monotonous. Frustrating. Head shaking.

It's all of those things for fans who have to be wondering if they'll ever see a consistent winner.

Nagy is adamant that he's doing everything in his power to turn things around. And that includes having frank, honest and — apparently — fruitful conversations with Pace.

“When things are easy and you're on winning streaks and things are going well, the communication is always good,” Nagy said. “But when things aren't going well — like right now when we're struggling and we're trying so hard to get things right because we care so much — the communication gets even tighter. There's more of it.

“There's more real conversations. Real talk. Trying to find solutions. Trying to find answers. We're both very honest people.”

It's incredibly evident how much Nagy wants to right the ship. There's no doubting that.

But the doubt creeps in when you pull the lens back and look at the big picture.

For instance:

• How is it that the offense is so utterly incompetent in the third quarter? The Bears have 1 offensive touchdown in 12 games. That's all on the coaching staff. Good coaches adjust — even if you've had a great first half as the Bears did Sunday — and you attack by going after weaknesses. The Bears are always on their heels and asking the defense to save the day.

• Why can't the Bears pick up critical third-and-1s or fourth-and-1s? Again, poor coaching and play calling.

• How do you leave your mobile quarterback in the pocket on third-and-4 on your own 17 with the game on the line? Run the ball or run a rollout.

• How do you allow a team to blaze down the field, going 96 yards in seven plays when you're ahead by 10 points late in the game?

• Where has the pass rush been the last two games?

And on and on.

Nagy didn't have many answers to these questions Monday. Nor has he had them for much of this season.

Said Nagy: “We've just got to get that one game, man, where all three phases are playing together and I think it'll show our guys how scary of a team we can be.”

Right. Enough with the words. It's time for action.

And it starts with cleaning house, top to bottom.