Firing John Fox earlier today wasn't the only noise the Chicago Bears would make as they try to pull themselves out of the NFC North cellar.
Before his scheduled 4:00 P.M. press conference, Bears president Ted Phillips announced the two-year extension of general manager through 2021, an unsurprising move at Halas Hall. As Chicago moves forward with finding Fox's replacement at head coach, Pace will now have full security to make his dealings for his make or break hire. And, most crucially, his contract will mirror that of the next Bears' head coach: marrying the two together.