‘I Hear You:' Pace, Fox Discuss Disappointing 2016 Season

After a frustrating 3-13 season that saw the Chicago Bears finish with their worst record since the NFL expanded its schedule to 16 games, fans are angry with the direction of the team, and General Manager Ryan Pace had a simple message for those supporters Wednesday.

“I hear you,” he said during a press conference he conducted to dissect the Bears’ season. “My message to Bears fans is simple: we’re going to get better. We’re going to improve.”

That improvement is going to require using every resource at the team’s disposal, as they have the number three overall pick in the NFL Draft and will have more cap space than just about every team in the NFL during the offseason.

Despite the struggles of the team, the coaching staff will remain largely intact, as head coach John Fox and coordinators Dowell Loggains and Vic Fangio will all be in Chicago next year. Even with their job status secure, Fox knows that the team needs help and vowed to be accountable for the poor season in 2016.

“3-13 is not acceptable. The buck stops here,” Fox said. “We had higher aspirations, and it just didn’t happen. There’s no doubt that we have to get better.”

One of the areas that the Bears will have to evaluate for next season is their quarterback position, as Jay Cutler is not guaranteed any more money on the massive contract extension that he inked back in 2013. With the freedom to choose whether or not to bring back the polarizing quarterback, Pace says that the team will continue discussing his status and will try to keep things as quiet as possible when it comes to media catching wind of the decision.

“(It’s) not completely finalized yet,” Pace said. “Jay and his agent will be the first to know when it is.”

Another player that will be the subject of intense offseason scrutiny is wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who was once again limited by injuries and by a four-game drug suspension during the 2016 campaign. The Bears do have the option of using the franchise tag or signing him to a long-term deal, but Pace is leaving all options on the table.

“I think Alshon expects more,” Pace said. “I think he’s a good player, and that’s going to be a big decision for us.”

With decisions surrounding some of their biggest stars, the Bears have plenty to do in the offseason, but Pace made it clear where the team’s focus lies: on gutting through a tough stretch and making big strides forward for next season.

“My promise to Bears fans is this: there’s not a moment that goes by that we’re not consumed with getting this right,” he said. “This is unacceptable. It’s painful to deal with. We’re going to get better.”

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