Chicago Bears Have Clever Method For Building Draft Board

The Chicago Bears have built one of the youngest and most interesting front office structures heading into the NFL draft.

Every general manager in the NFL is different. That is no secret. They all may share similar views on certain things but always differ on at least one subject when it comes to philosophy. Especially when it comes to the draft. Bears GM Ryan Pace has his own rather intriguing method for getting his team to construct the absolute best board possible. It involves several factors, but one in particular stands out: promoting internal rivalries.

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Pace seems to be a fan of what one would call “creative tension.” That is to say he feels differing opinions in a front office is actually a good thing. It can lead to productive debates about certain players, bringing things to light that may not have been discussed in a more united room.

Chris Emma of CBS Sports offers insight.

"“What preceded Day 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday were months of scouting, meetings, film study and evaluation. And the most important part of the process happened behind closed doors inside the Bears’ facility. It was a meeting of the minds.When Pace became the Bears general manager in January 2015, he quickly went to work building what he views as a dream team of scouts, a group of unheralded evaluators with whom he holds great trust, yet those who constantly differ in opinions. As a matter of fact, it happens all the time.Constantly, the Bears’ scouting team conducts arguments and debates over prospect beliefs. Pace hired scouts who are united in philosophy yet independent in their scouting convictions.The Bears have built an ideal scouting democracy, in which countless voices are heard. The heated discussions to the strengths and weaknesses of each prospects and the team’s needs create a sound draft board.”"

For those who might think such a method is counterproductive, let one remind of a recent example of how important it can be to have dissenting voices in a war room. Back in 2014, it was revealed that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was infatuated with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Knowing the age and injury history of Tony Romo, Jones was very interested in keeping the college football star in his home state. However, his son Stephen Jones vehemently opposed this idea. He wanted to adding Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin instead, feeling he was a really good player with far less risk off the field.

Jerry Jones was ready to draft Johnny Manziel but Stephen Jones pulled the card and that's when we took Zack Martin instead.
— justin (@mikotoxsuoh) February 29, 2016

The argument grew heated when the Cowboys went on the clock, but in the end Stephen won out. Martin became the pick and is now a Pro Bowl guard on one of the best offensive lines in football.

It is this kind of atmosphere Ryan Pace wants. One where people aren’t afraid to speak their minds and disagree if they genuinely feel the team is making a mistake. With the Chicago Bears under this kind of chaotic but productive direction, it sets up for them to pinpoint some intriguing talents in this 2016 draft and the ones to follow.