Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has yet to draft a quarterback. Here is why 2017 will be his year.
First of all, this isn’t about Jay Cutler. He’s the quarterback, and that has become clear enough after the team went out of its way to avoid drafting his replacement. This is about Pace and the fact that at some point he’s going to want to get “his” guy of the future. As serviceable as Cutler is to the needs of the moment, Pace has shown he will not rush this important decision.
Too many times during his years in New Orleans was the team bedeviled by bad quarterback play. It’s not a pool he wants to jump into prematurely. However, it’s also not something he can put off forever. Based on historical trends, that time is approaching.
Here is a list of every GM in the NFL who has drafted a quarterback in the 3rd round or higher and what year of their tenure they did so.
- Doug Whaley: E.J. Manuel (1st year, 2013)
- Bill Belichick: Kevin O’Connell (9th year, 2008)
- Struck gold with Tom Brady in 2000, his first year.
- Mike Maccagnan: Christian Hackenberg (2nd year, 2016)
- Ozzie Newsome: Chris Redman (5th year, 2000)
- Marvin Lewis: Carson Palmer (1st year, 2003)
- Kevin Colbert: Ben Roethlisberger (5th year, 2004)
- Ryan Grigson: Andrew Luck (1st year, 2012)
- David Caldwell: Blake Bortles (2nd year, 2014)
- John Elway: Brock Osweiler (1st year, 2012)
- Reggie McKenzie: Derek Carr (3rd year, 2014)
- Jerry Jones: Troy Aikman (1st year, 1989)
- Howie Roseman: Nick Foles (3rd year, 2012)
- Ted Thompson: Aaron Rodgers (1st year, 2005)
- Rick Spielman: Teddy Bridgewater (3rd year, 2014)
- Thomas Dimitroff: Matt Ryan (1st year, 2008)
- Mickey Loomis: Garrett Grayson (14th year, 2015)
- Signed Drew Brees before 5th year
- Jason Licht: Jameis Winston (2nd year, 2015)
- Les Snead: Jared Goff (5th year, 2016)
- Trent Baalke: Colin Kaepernick (1st year, 2011)
- John Schneider: Russell Wilson (3rd year, 2012)
As the list indicates, there are exceptions to the rule. Some GMs inherit teams that drafted a young quarterback a year or two prior to their arrival. Others had a stroke of good fortune, getting one in the later rounds or signing one in free agency. However, noting the larger majority, most general managers drafted their own in the top three rounds within the first three years of their time in charge. With or without the presence of a decent veteran.
Pace will be entering his third in 2017, and current estimates are it could be a strong class.
Next: The Options