Chairman George McCaskey Confident In Bears' Direction
George McCaskey with Mully & Hanley Show
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Bears chairman George McCaskey seemed upbeat and filled with good spirits as he met with the Mully & Hanley Show on Friday morning.
The Bears are set to enter a critical offseason, one in which the team has $46 million in cap resources and nine draft picks available. Following a 6-10 season, the team expects to take a major step forward by adding talent.
Throughout his time as Bears chairman, McCaskey has willingly taken a backseat to team general managers and coaches. Unlike a Jerry Jones type, he doesn't mettle with the football operation.
"If you want what's best for the Bears, you need to stay out of the pro's way and let them do their jobs," McCaskey said.
As the Bears prepare to invest in their roster, McCaskey will be watching as second-year general manager Ryan Pace works toward his shared vision with coach John Fox.
McCaskey made the hire of Pace a year ago January, believing in the young Saints personnel man to take charge of his flustered franchise. The Bears were driving to rock bottom under the tumultuous tenures of general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman. The greatest mission for Pace was ridding the troubled culture out of Halas Hall.
The Bears see the young Pace as a rising star. They believe in what he can build in Chicago.
"Ryan's been terrific," McCaskey said. "Great management style, very easy to work with. I wouldn't describe him as easygoing, because he's got a competitive streak. It's been a great partnership with John Fox. They have infused Halas Hall with an energy. It's palpable. You can feel it walking up and down the halls."
Pace's mission this offseason is to find the Bears game-changing talents, upgrading a roster that has consisted of replacement-level players. He, Fox and much of the front office spent last week hard at work in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.
Meanwhile, McCaskey follows along as a diehard fan who happens to be the team's chairman. A year ago, he told the media that his mother, Virginia, was "pissed off" about the Bears' direction. Now, the feeling is different.
"She's pleased with the way things are going, the direction that we're headed," McCaskey said. "Like the rest of us, we'd like to see more wins."
McCaskey said that his mother, now 93 years old, is doing well and is "tough as nails." Like her son, Virginia wears passion for the Bears on her sleeve.
The McCaskey family is confident in the Bears' direction and the leadership moving it forward. Their longstanding goal is to bring Super Bowl glory back to Chicago.
"I'm not a patient person, but I've pledged to be patient," McCaskey said. "Of course we want to win every game we can. The sooner we can get back to contention and competing for championships, the better. But we understand that Ryan and John have a plan, and we need to stick to that plan."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
