Chicago Bears: Explaining The Mastery of Ryan Pace
By Erik Lambert
Last year, Ryan Pace was considered the equivalent of a new kid on the block. He was the youngest executive to assume the GM chair for an NFL franchise at 37-years old. Many wondered if he was ready for the heavy responsibilities that come with the job. His first year offered some indications that he knew what he was doing, retooling the coaching staff and roster and making them much more competitive in what was the toughest schedule for any team in 2015.
He wasn’t above making some mistakes such as signing troublesome defensive end Ray McDonald. Still, none of his big decisions have hurt the franchise and most feel things are headed in the right direction. So far in 2016 some are curious at the remarkable lack of noise coming out of Halas Hall. Thus far the team has made a few moves, but nowhere near some of the blockbuster deals being struck.
It has some fans nervous that he might not be doing enough. They don’t see just how craft Pace has been thus far. So to help explain, here is a step-by-step rundown of what he’s done, what he’s doing and what he’s trying to do.
Avoids the big fish
The majority of teams that pay big on the first day of free agency for all the top names are almost always run by GMs and coaching staffs who have failed to draft enough quality players to either make their team strong enough or keep them strong enough to reach the playoffs. Occasionally there are teams with solid rosters who want to get one or two more key pieces, but that’s the exception to the rule.
Notice the familiarities between the biggest spenders in 2016?
The Texans?
The Giants?
The Raiders?
All are run by general managers who are feeling the pressure to win since they haven’t done enough of it the past few years. Pace is showing that he won’t bend to those pressures. Even following a 6-10 season he is not going to be lured by big name players who are almost never worth the fat contracts they sign. That’s how one keeps his salary cap healthy.
Next: Value