CHICAGO – Chicago defense coordinator Chuck Pagano, former former Indianapolis Colts head coach, has decided to retire, league sources told ESPN and confirmed several reports.
The Bears are likely to retain head coach Matt Nagy and general crib Ryan Pace, sources said.
Pagano, 60, has spent just two seasons in Chicago after a six-year career as head coach of the Colts. He was appointed by the Bears on January 11, 2019 to replace the decorated defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who is leaving to become head coach of the Denver Broncos.
In Pagano’s first season, the Bears’ defense leads the NFC in points allowed per game (18.6) and is second in the conference in net yards per game (324.1).
The Chicago defense once again appears to be the club’s strength in the early parts of the 2020 season, but the group’s performance has declined as the year has progressed. Chicago finished the regular season 15th in defense and 11th on the pass when the Bears (8-9) returned in the 17-game playoffs.
Chicago was eliminated by the New Orleans Saints in the post-season in a 21-9 loss Sunday in the Superdome.
In six seasons as head coach of the Colts, Pagano went 53-43 and 3-3 in the playoffs in the regular season.
The fortunes of Nagy and Pace were uncertain after the Bears lost eight of 11 to end the year and finished 1-7 against playoff games in 2020.
Nagy, who was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2018, has led the Bears to two berths over the past three years.
Pace has just completed his sixth year as general manager of Chicago.