Ryan Pace has gotten plenty of heat lately. That’s no surprise as the Chicago Bears sit at 6-6, in danger of posting their fourth losing season in five years under the GM’s watch. Not a good look given the team had Super Bowl aspirations coming into this season. A big reason for that disappointment has to do with Pace’s high profile draft choices. Kevin White is already gone. Leonard Floyd has just three sacks this year. Mitch Trubisky has regressed in every way from last season and Adam Shaheen is an outright bust.
That’s not to say it’s all bad. Roquan Smith is emerging as one of the top inside linebackers in football for the past few weeks. James Daniels seems to have settled himself back at left guard and Anthony Miller is coming off the best game of his career with 140 yards against Detroit. So Pace’s most recent high draft choices are performing as hoped, which is good. It’s also important to point out another key factor.
His 2019 free agency class has turned out to be excellent.
Ryan Pace scored multiple hits on a tight budget
People need to understand that Pace didn’t have an open checkbook like last year. Due to big contracts already eating up much of the salary cap and extensions for in-house players on the horizon. So he had to find a way to fill a number of holes on the roster without a lot of money to do so. The two biggest were at slot corner and strong safety. Two spots vacated by proven players in Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos.
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All things considered, Pace nailed it. Veteran corner Buster Skrine came over from the Jets and has handled himself well. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 36 of 63 passes in his direction for an 81.6 passer rating. Considering they got him at a fraction of the price Callahan signed for in Denver, it’s a big win.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix arrived on a one-year deal from Washington for $3 million, lured by the idea of playing on an elite defense. Truth be told the Bears haven’t really noticed Amos being gone. Clinton-Dix not only serves as a capable presence in coverage, but he’s also much better tackling and playing the run than people give him credit for.
The best addition though was Cordarrelle Patterson. Chicago was committed to improving their special teams this offseason, especially in the kick return area. The wide receiver has accomplished these goals and more. Not only does he have 294 return yards in 12 games, he also has a touchdown and three special teams tackles. The man is worthy of a Pro Bowl nod.
It doesn’t stop there though.
Pace also had the wherewithal to re-sign key players who have since become major contributors this season. Defensive tackle Nick Williams has six sacks. Punter Pat O’Donnell is averaging a career-high 40.6 yards net average per kick. Rashaad Coward was also retained as a primary backup on the offensive line and is now their starting right guard in place of the injured Kyle Long.
The only notable whiff the GM had was signing running back Mike Davis who proved to be of little use on offense, hence his early departure a few weeks back.
While this free agent class wasn’t strong enough to carry the team as the 2018 version did a year ago, it’s been a big part of keeping it afloat at 6-6 and still in the playoff picture. Given the fact that Pace spent a combined $9.3 million to secure them for this season? That has to go down as a big win.
