For months now experts have proclaimed many times that GM Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears have modeled their latest rebuild after what the Rams did out in Los Angeles. It really is fascinating how they’ve followed the blueprint almost to the letter. Things began with an older, defensive-minded coach drafting a quarterback high. For the Rams, it was Jeff Fisher getting Jared Goff at #1 overall in 2016. John Fox, voluntarily or not, got Mitchell Trubisky #2 last year.
After both quarterbacks struggled their rookie seasons, the teams decided to make wholesale changes to build around them. Fisher was fired and the young, energetic Sean McVay was brought in. He’d had success as an offensive coordinator in Washington and had an expertise in quarterback development.
Next they completely revamped the offensive roster with both free agent and draft additions on the offensive line and at wide receiver. The results spoke for themselves. Goff threw 28 touchdowns, went to the Pro Bowl and guided the Rams to the playoffs. The Bears no doubt saw how successful that formula was and chose to continue following.
Will the Chicago Bears follow the Rams formula to the end?
They too hired a young offensive coach in Matt Nagy. Being a former quarterback himself it seemed he was perfect for Trubisky. Pace quickly followed that with a blitz of the offseason. Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller and Javon Wims were all new additions to the receiving corps. James Daniels bolstered the offensive line and Trey Burton brought depth at tight end.
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Suddenly the Bears have one of the youngest, most intriguing rosters in the league. People are anxious to see what it and Trubisky can do. The question moving forward is what’s next? This is where things circle back to Pace. The Rams blueprint does continue, but it involved something that may not fly with the Bears GM: a bold trade.
Los Angeles kept their foot on the gas pedal this offseason when they stunned the NFL by trading both their first and second round picks in the draft to acquire All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters and speedy receiving threat Brandin Cooks. Now the team has quickly gone from a playoff contender to a Super Bowl favorite.
With the long-term stability of his team secure, it stands to wonder if Pace might have something similar in mind. He still has his first and third rounders next year in place. If the right opportunity surfaces, would he be willing to part with one or both of them to acquire a potential difference-maker?
Trades have been more prevalent than ever before
To date, Pace has never made a trade involving the acquisition of a veteran player. All of his biggest moves were reserved for the draft. However, with the rebuilding process seemingly complete it’s possible his priorities might be shifting. The Bears have a young core of talent in place. What they could use is one more potential veteran star to bring it all together.
It all depends on who might become available in the next few months. Names like Khalil Mack, Dante Fowler Jr., Shane Ray, Malik Jackson, and even J.J. Watt are all names worth watching. If Pace feels like he’s got a good team this year, he might try to go for the killing blow like the Rams did a few months ago.
