Chuck Pagano knows a thing or two about football. He played it for several years and has been coaching it for multiple decades as well. This is a man who’s had a chance to work with some of the best the NFL has had to offer. This includes a significant list of current or future Hall of Famers. Most remember the names Ed Reed and Ray Lewis of course. However, it goes beyond that.
In Oakland, he got to tangle with a veteran Warren Sapp. Aside from Lewis and Reed, there was also Terrell Suggs in Baltimore who likely ends up in Canton. Then when taking over as head coach in Indianapolis, he worked with elite pass rusher Robert Mathis who is almost certain to get in as well with his career 129.5 sacks. Suffice to say Pagano understands what greatness on that side of the ball looks like.
That is why his words to Dan Pompei of The Athletic were so telling. Not only does he recognize the Bears have a great team defense. He also feels some of them are destined for gold jackets if things progress as expected.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some Hall of Fame players in my time in Baltimore,” he says, referring to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. “We have guys on this defense who are very, very similar. Now they aren’t there yet. But they are the same type of athletes, same type of mindsets. They were so passionate about football, and that’s what this group is…
…Vic did a phenomenal job,” he says. “I’ve always had great respect for Vic. But every season is different. Every team is different. The pieces are in place to be as good or better as last year. So the challenge for me and everybody else, the assistants and players, is to come in and find things you can do better. Why not be the ’85 Bears? Why not set a goal to be that?”
Chuck Pagano knew how to use Hall of Fame talent too
There is no doubt that the primary name he’d reference in this situation is Khalil Mack. The star pass rusher was already on his ascent towards Hall of Fame status before he got to Chicago. Nothing has changed since then. Another who is starting to resemble that quality of player is Eddie Jackson, their All-Pro safety who already has eight interceptions and five defensive touchdowns in his career.
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One could also envision Roquan Smith getting there. Though he has a long way to go, the young linebacker offered a taste of what he’s capable of in 2018. Despite no training camp or preseason work, he still won the starting job and narrowly missed out on the Bears rookie record for tackles with 121. Not to mention five sacks. He has that look and feel of a player who can be great for a long time.
Pagano’s job is to make sure those players fulfill that potential. He proved he could do that in Baltimore and Indianapolis. It’s all about trusting in his ability to coach and getting a fortunate bounce from the football gods of health.
