It’s a quadrennial tradition that somehow maintains its intrigue. When a president nears the end of his term, we compare photos and marvel at the physical toll of stress and time. One picture of the president at the beginning of his term, the other from present day.

My, how the gray hair fills in, how the wrinkles become more defined.

OK, so Ryan Pace doesn’t lead the free world. Just the football operation of the NFC North champions. But check out side-by-side photos of Pace — one from his introduction as Bears general manager in January 2015 and one from this season — and notice how he wears the anxiety of a rebuilding effort that only recently has achieved any success.

Pace, the NFL’s second-youngest GM at 41, has a lot more salt where he had only pepper four years ago. That’s the effect of tearing down the Bears to the studs — and mashing his own thumb with his hammer at times along the way.

But now, with the Bears set to play in the postseason for the first time since the 2010 season, Pace should savor how the division championship resulted from his steadfast vision and his boldness pursuing it. Winning the NFC North isn’t quite achieving world peace, but one could’ve argued not long ago that it was more improbable.

Pace, you’ll recall, defiantly believed otherwise, that the Bears were closer to contending than last season’s 5-11 record indicated and his 14-34 record over three seasons foretold.

He made that clear last Jan. 1, the day he fired coach John Fox and signed a contract extension through 2021, which was designed to stabilize the organizational dynamic for a new coach.

“I have to do a better job,” he said. “But as I stand here today and I look at where we’re heading, there’s sincere optimism.”

Pace isn’t the type to say I told you so. But, yeah, he told us so.

Most gratifying is how his determination to prioritize football character on the roster created a group that has so earnestly bought into what rookie coach Matt Nagy is selling.

The Bears’ on-field product worsened when Pace jettisoned players such as Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett. And when the Bears offense sank to the bottom of the NFL last season, it tested many fans’ faith.

All the while, Pace injected youth into the roster and, just as important, the energy and eagerness that come with it.

Then, last January, he complemented that effort with his masterstroke of hiring Nagy.

He selected the 39-year-old coach (now 40) not just because of Nagy’s ability to develop quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Pace also sensed Nagy’s charisma, relatability and motivational methods would connect with the group of players he had assembled.

It’s just a shame we never got to see Jay Cutler dance at Club Dub.

With the benefit of hindsight, 11 wins and a division crown, Nagy was the right choice and then some. At the time, though, the risks were real.

Nagy never had been a head coach at any level, and he had called plays for only six NFL games with the Chiefs. Pace propped him up into two full-time roles in which he had little to no experience.

Call it risky. Call it bold or, as Pace calls it, aggressive. That’s his wiring. It’s one trait that encouraged Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President Ted Phillips to extend his contract.

Pace hasn’t been perfect since the extension. Roquan Smith’s holdout delayed the first-round rookie’s development. Cody Parkey has missed too many field goals. Kevin White’s tenure hasn’t been salvaged.

But McCaskey and Phillips’ faith in Pace already has been rewarded in several instances, including Dec. 18 when five Bears players were named to the Pro Bowl.

Pace used four avenues to acquire those five guys, a sign of a resourceful GM who can evaluate talent.

Photos of every Bears touchdown scored during the 2018 season.

The Bears signed defensive lineman Akiem Hicks in unrestricted free agency in 2016; drafted safety Eddie Jackson and running back Tarik Cohen in 2017 — both in the fourth round, no less; and re-signed cornerback Kyle Fuller in March using the transition tag.

Then there was the fearless September trade-and-sign involving All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack, who was awarded the richest contract for a defensive player in NFL history.

All those successes, though, don’t change the fact Pace’s reputation is tied to Mitch Trubisky, the quarterback he picked ahead of NFL MVP front-runner Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Deshaun Watson of the AFC South-leading Texans.

That, though, is one of the million great things about the playoffs.

Yes, Trubisky has flashed brilliance at times and ineptitude at others. But the playoffs are when a quarterback’s legacy is defined.

Trubisky’s inconsistent performance and consistent reliance on the Bears’ marvelous defense are simply a prelude to the lasting impression we’ll have of his second NFL season and first under Nagy. Trubisky will have his chance to write the final chapter and propel himself upward along with Pace’s good name.

Who knows how it will end? But the opportunity itself is worth celebrating — not only for what it means as the calendar flips to 2019 but beyond. Pace’s Bears are young, cohesive and ascending. There’s the distinct feel of a championship window opening.

You can almost hear the Soldier Field crowd chanting: “Four more years!”

rcampbell@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Rich_Campbell

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