From the outset in 2015, Ryan Pace made it clear he wanted to build the Chicago Bears in his vision. As any GM would. Over the next five years, he did a lot of good for the team. Nowhere more so than on defense. He signed Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan. He drafted Eddie Goldman, Roquan Smith, and Eddie Jackson. Then he traded for Khalil Mack. It’s been a masterclass in reconstructing a unit to greatness.

However, Pace’s legacy in Chicago remains mixed. That is mostly due to his many misfires on offense. Kevin White, his 7th overall pick in 2015 was a bust. His prized quarterback Mitch Trubisky, a kid he gave up four picks including #2 overall to get, has been largely a disappointment. Veteran free agents like Eddie Royal, Mike Glennon, Markus Wheaton, Dion Sims, Trey Burton, and Mike Davis were monumental disasters.

So when the team decided to roll with Trubisky again as their starting QB, most naturally assumed Pace was a major influence behind that. In reality though, that wasn’t the truth at all. According to Adam Jahns of The Athletic, the Bears GM made a big concession on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. One that looks like it may end up paying huge dividends.

“The narrative that Pace strong-armed Matt Nagy into playing Trubisky is ridiculous. If anything, Pace has been going along with what Nagy and his staff have wanted since the NFL Scouting Combine. Bears coaches provide Pace’s scouting department with their preferences for positions, then Pace and his scouts go out and look for those players.

And the arrival of Foles falls into that category, too.”

Ryan Pace giving Nagy control of offensive personnel is logical

There is plenty of evidence to support this too. Trading for Nick Foles was obvious. Rather than the usual standout physical talent Pace seemed to prefer, he represented an intelligent and cerebral player who executed the system the way it was meant to be. That is what Nagy wanted. Not a Cam Newton or a Marcus Mariota. Somebody he knew he could trust to run the right play at the right time.

Then there was the heavy emphasis on tight ends. Signing Jimmy Graham and then drafting Cole Kmet in the 2nd round. Nagy has said on many occasions how vital that position is to make his offense work. It really felt like he was spearheading the drive to improve it. Even if it meant bypassing good players at other positions.

Then there was the emphasis on speed. Nagy heavily recruited Ted Ginn Jr. from New Orleans. Then Pace traded up in the 5th round to grab Darnell Mooney. Both have looked strong in camp, providing the offense much-needed explosiveness.

Time will tell if these moves pay off, but it’s clear they had Nagy’s fingerprints all over them. A reminder that Pace is far from the egomaniac so many have painted him as.