McCaskey has reiterated since the end of last season that he is going to be patient as the Bears work to construct a team that can compete on a regular basis. That's the goal and there is an understanding that doesn't happen overnight. The frustration for the fan base is the Bears have been in this mode for longer than they've admitted to be rebuilding. They tried to hang on to the final remnants of the Lovie Smith defense and keep the window of opportunity to compete for a championship propped open and it didn't work. In fact, it failed miserably. Pace and Fox are entering their third year together and that is a pivotal season for GM/coach pairings because it's allowed for time to reshape the roster and locker room. But it's impossible in May to forecast exactly how this season is going to unfold and how McCaskey is going to evaluate the operation in late December/early January. Could Fox be fired and Pace be allowed to hire a second head coach? That's not outside the realm of possibilities. You insist they're joined at the hip but it's not entirely that way. Pace was signed to a five-year contract and Fox was signed to a four-year contract. Fox answers to Pace but ownership ultimately has control, right? Maybe Pace seeks an offensive-minded head coach after the season. Maybe the Bears stay healthy and play well for a decent stretch of the season and finish 8-8 with the arrow pointing up into 2018. There's an awful lot of ground to cover between now and the end of the season. Let's see how it plays out without rushing to judge.