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@ jorgeh7486: Why does everyone want to run out [ general manager Ryan Pace] already? He inherited a roster that was full of thirdstring players. Do you feel Pace is [ leading] the Bears in the right direction? A: Pace deserves scrutiny because his team is 12- 30 and several of his free- agent signings haven’t panned out. But, to use your phrasing, the McCaskey family is not going to run him out. Pace has been honest with ownership since his hiring. Can the Bears’ record be better? Sure. But Pace is running a rebuild. From the outset, he thought it would take three or four draft classes to truly retool his roster. Several of his picks can be considered foundation pieces: outside linebacker

Leonard Floyd, nose tackle Eddie Goldman, center Cody Whitehair, safety Eddie Jackson and running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. Safety Adrian Amos, tight end Adam Shaheen and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski also have shown promise. But quarterback Mitch Trubisky is the most important player of Pace’s rebuild. Trubisky will define it. And he’s only six games into his development. @ QMHowell: How do you know the Bears players believe in Trubisky as a [ quarterback] and aren’t simply being “good” teammates and just saying the right things?

A: That’s a good question. Players tend to light up when talking about Trubisky. Their eyes widen, and they smile. They often give examples of plays he made in practice or his highlights from games. Maybe I’m reading too much into their body language or their own stories about him, but all players seem to give off positive vibes when they discuss him. They know Trubisky is a rookie who has much to learn. But he’s also very likable and naturally charismatic. Players on both sides of the ball have gravitated toward him. Trubisky embraces everything that comes with being an NFL quarterback. At the very least, his teammates respect his approach.