The Chicago Bears are looking forward to building on their success this offseason. Meanwhile, several other teams around the league are hoping to follow in Chicago's turnaround footsteps. That includes the Atlanta Falcons, who've been stuck in mediocrity (or worse) since their last playoff appearance in 2017.
One way Atlanta tried to improve its fortunes was by hiring ex-Bears GM Ryan Pace. He joined the Falcons after he was fired by the Bears following the 2021 season to assist general manager Terry Fontenot. Given his close connection to Fontenot, Pace was sitting pretty down south -- until Fontenot's sudden firing earlier this offseason.
On Saturday, Pace’s offseason took another turn for the worse as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Pace and the Falcons had parted ways. While Pelissero also added that Pace “will have options elsewhere, it also isn’t an ideal situation as he looks to find a new job.
Ryan Pace’s Bears Tenure Comes Back to Haunt Him After Falcons’ Firing
While Pace first started in ATL as a senior personnel executive, he worked his way up to director of player personnel in 2023 and became the vice president of football operations & player personnel during the 2024 season.
Though Pelissero noted that Pace “was highly thought of in Atlanta,” the Falcons and new president of football Matt Ryan decided to go elsewhere for their next general manager by hiring former Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
Seeing another Bears employee in a greater role was a hint at Pace’s fate. Pace’s time as general manager in Chicago produced a 48-65 record and just one winning record – a 12-4 mark in 2018 – over seven seasons. He also hired Matt Nagy as head coach and passed on Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft during his tenure which was a giant mess for Cunningham to clean up when he arrived with Ryan Poles in 2020.
It took a four-year rebuild for the Bears to get back on their feet and that likely crossed Cunningham’s mind when he saw Pace’s name listed in the staff directory in Atlanta. While Pace had a quick dismissal, it’s also interesting to see where he could end up as he looks for a new job.
A return to the New Orleans Saints could be in order as Pace was there from 2001 to 2014 before taking the Bears’ GM job in 2015 and current GM Mickey Loomis is pushing into his 70s. Pace also could wait to see where Fontenot lands after being his top assistant in Atlanta or get a scouting role with another front office as the 2026 season approaches.
Then again, a resume update is probably not what Pace had in mind when the offseason began. Looking for a new job, Pace will look to land out on his feet after his past in Chicago came back to haunt him.