The Chicago Bears free agency run for 2018 was a productive one, at least on paper. They secured a number of outside and in-house players that give their roster a far more encouraging look than it had at the end of last season. A lot of this must be credited to GM Ryan Pace. Not just because of his negotiating prowess but also his masterful management of the Bears salary cap over the past couple years.
Going into March, Pace had carefully amassed upwards of $70 million in cap space, ranking the Bears among the five-most in the NFL. This meant they could afford to make a series of expensive moves should they wish. Free agents are always going to seek out their best financial opportunity right? So they’re going to know which teams have the most to spend.
Except Pace knows this isn’t the case. The Bears had lots of money last year as well yet produced arguably their worst crop of signings in the past decade. There comes a point when big contracts only go so far with a player. Something more is needed and the Bears GM feels his team had that last ingredient this year.
Chicago Bears free agency rush was spearheaded by QB and head coach
Dan Pompei of The Athletic got a chance to sit down with Pace and talk about the work accomplished this offseason. When the subject of the Bears’ successful free agency run came up, he deflected the credit for himself or the large cap space he built. Instead, it was the presence and recruiting prowess of quarterback Mitch Trubisky and head coach Matt Nagy that did the job.
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“I feel our opportunity became more attractive in free agency,” he said. “A lot of times it’s going to come down to money, but when there are tiebreakers, they look at the quarterback, the stability. You could feel those things were working in our advantage.”
Nagy and Trubisky helped sell the Bears the way a fresh coat of paint and high-end landscaping can help sell a house. Robinson, Burton and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel cited Nagy’s scheme as a reason they were interested in the Bears. Cornerback Prince Amukamara indicated he was more enthusiastic about re-signing with the Bears because he believes the quarterback is in place.
This is not an isolated incident.
Kirk Cousins, probably the most sought-after free agent of 2018 had bigger offers from teams like the Jets. Yet he decided to sign in Minnesota. Why? This was a team that went 13-3 last season and reached the NFC championship game. They’re ready to go after a Super Bowl. Isn’t that worth sacrificing a couple million dollars in a contract?
People so often forget that football is a competitive sport. Sure, making tons of money to secure your future and that of your family is important. Still, winning championships hold just as much importance to these young men. Pace is basically saying this sudden turn in free agency fortunes is a sign from the league that they feel Chicago is ready to begin their ascent.
