Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace Lays Out His Waiver Wire Plan

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace made it clear he likes where the Chicago Bears roster is. That being said he’s never been one to avoid the obvious.

He, like everybody else, can see a glaring issue forming for the team at wide receiver. It was already a big question mark after Alshon Jeffery departed in free agency. Things got a lot worse after week three of the preseason when Cameron Meredith, their leading receiver from 2016, torn the ACL and MCL in his left knee. He’s done for the year. Suddenly the options at the position appear few and far between.

Kevin White has only played four games in two years. Kendall Wright is a former 1st round pick who flamed out in Tennessee. Markus Wheaton can’t stay healthy and Victor Cruz keeps dropping passes. It’s not an inspiring group and threatens to expose starter Mike Glennon, who isn’t known for being the kind of guy who can elevate those around him.

That’s why Pace confirmed during an interview before the Bears’ fourth preseason game that they would indeed scour the upcoming waiver wire for help at the position.

History says Pace will be aggressive on that front

The waiver wire is someplace Pace has been active before. He signed guys like Harold Jones-Quarter, Eric Kush and Cre’Von LeBlanc through that method in years past. Each had some reasonable success upon arrival. Given the massive amount of cuts that are looming on September 2nd, smart money says the Bears will be active in claiming process.

A big part of why rests on their position. Chicago is third overall in the pecking order, just like they were in the NFL draft. This means only the Browns and 49ers get dibs ahead of them. It is a huge opportunity to scour most of the top talent that other teams are forced to discard. In other words a second Christmas for Pace and his front office. Smart money says teams to watch will be Green Bay, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. All are stacked at wide receiver, which means tough cuts are coming.