Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has decided to retire, according to multiple reports

Chuck Pagano, who spent the better part of the last two decades coaching in the NFL, has decided to retire, according to multiple reports.

Pagano was the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears for the previous two seasons. He had a six-season tenure as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, taking the team to the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2012-14.

The Bears are expected to retain both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, according to The Athletic and ESPN. 

Pagano joined the Bears in January 2019 to replace Vic Fangio when he was hired to become head coach of the Denver Broncos. After the Bears defense ranked No. 1 in points allowed in 2018, it finished fourth in 2019 in the first season under Pagano and then 14th in 2020. The Bears were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday after a 21-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

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Pagano, 60, started his coaching career in 1984 as a graduate assistant at USC. He got his first NFL assistant coaching job in 2001 with the Cleveland Browns.

In 2011, he was hired by the Baltimore Ravens to be their defensive coordinator. After the Ravens lost in the AFC title game to the New England Patriots, Pagano was hired by the Colts, who had gone 2-14 that season.

In his first season at the helm in Indianapolis, Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia, but the Colts still managed an incredible turnaround, finishing 11-5 with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. 

Pagano finished with a 56-46 record (including playoff games) during his time as Colts head coach.