Chicago Bears: Evaluating The Ryan Pace Youth Movement

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace looks on from the sidelines before the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace looks on from the sidelines before the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan (37) misses a possible interception in the end zone during the second quarter of a NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan (37) misses a possible interception in the end zone during the second quarter of a NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Undrafted Free Agents and Waiver Wire

2015

  • WR Cameron Meredith (rotational player)
  • CB Bryce Callahan (starter)
  • CB Jacoby Glenn (starter)
  • LB John Timu (rotational player)
  • LB Jonathan Anderson (practice squad)
  • S Harold Jones-Quartey (starter)

2016

  • LB Roy Robertson-Harris (practice squad)
  • TE Ben Braunecker (special teams)
  • CB Cre’Von LeBlanc (rotational player)

This might be where Pace has done his best work. Not a surprise given his rich history as a scout. Sean Payton said he had a certain gift for finding good players in unexpected places. To think he found three defensive starters in Bryce Callahan, Harold Jones-Quartey and Jacoby Glenn on the undrafted market is amazing. These aren’t just emergency starters either. They’ve made their share of impressive plays early this season. Without much help from the pass rush either.

Chicago Bears fans don’t understand how important this change of events is. For years this franchise has been an absolute disgrace on the undrafted market. Their biggest claim in that area was linebacker Brendan Ayenbadejo, a Pro Bowl special teams ace back in the mid-2000s. That’s it. No notable offensive or defensive players worth mentioning. Yet another reason people can add to why this franchise fell apart so fast.