The Chicago Bears weren’t huge spenders this year in free agency. They had two significant signings in Robert Quinn and Jimmy Graham. After that, they pretty much went “Walmart” the rest of the way. That is to say sifting through the bargain bin looking for value. Plenty of fans usually turn their noses up at this approach.

Teams don’t get better if they refuse to spend the money, right?

Well, no. That’s not how it works at all. Teams can be cheap in free agency and still find value for their roster. Remember the Bears got Akiem Hicks for $10 million total in 2016. Looking back it’s a virtual crime they got him for such a low number. Last year they added J.P. Holtz and Kevin Pierre-Louis on minimal deals and both made significant contributions on the field.

GM Ryan Pace prides himself on being able to find hidden gems for his team. Based on early returns? He’s done it again.

Chicago Bears are getting results despite cheaper approach

Demetrius Harris ($1.65 million)

People will just look at the stat sheet and laugh at this idea. If one were to watch the tape, they’d understand. Harris would’ve had a touchdown in Detroit if Mitch Trubisky had thrown a better pass. However, the real reason the tight end was brought in was his blocking. There is no question his presence has done wonders for the Bears both in pass protection and especially the running game. This is an underappreciated football player. It’s becoming easier to see why the team moved so fast to grab him after being released by Cleveland.

https://twitter.com/BearsFilmRoom/status/1307317762763689984

The #Bears wisely utilize some pre-snap motion to confuse Detroit’s defense. Germain Ifedi in particular looks dominant here at the point of attack, while Demetrius Harris and Cole Kmet both make key blocks against the wide-9 EDGE and the box safety, respectively. pic.twitter.com/77KaWFl6qh

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 17, 2020

Germain Ifedi ($1.047 million)

People weren’t overly impressed when Ifedi was signed. This was the guy? The big addition that would help to replace Kyle Long at right guard? GM Ryan Pace said the team had liked Ifedi for years and felt his time playing tackle in Seattle wasn’t a true showcase of his talent. They felt moving him to guard would allow him to excel? So far they’re proving themselves correct. Ifedi has been a huge key to the resurgence of the Bears’ running game, bringing power and attitude they lacked a season ago.

How it took this long for #Bears Cordarrelle Patterson to play RB full-time is beyond me — check out this sweet 1v1 shimmy Patterson uses to shake a tackler in the hole and pick up 10 yards, it's so smooth. pic.twitter.com/mJxgrwDGnH

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 25, 2020

The #Bears run blocking in 2020 has been absolutely clinical — check out Cody Whitehai and James Daniels on this play, who open a monsterous hole with a beautiful display of outside zone blocking.

Makes you wonder… where was any of this last year? pic.twitter.com/CmmbKjJYY0

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 22, 2020

Barkevious Mingo ($1.187 million)

Robert Quinn was the fancy new addition to the Bears outside linebacker position this offseason. The guy expected to help Khalil Mack hunt quarterbacks. Mingo’s signing was greeted with mild interest at best. Most saw him as little more than special teams help. Part of this is true. Mingo had a hand in Cordarrelle Patterson’s big kickoff return against Detroit. However, he’s also made some noise on defense. He has played steady versus the run and collected a sack against the Giants last Sunday.

The fact the Bears got these guys for less than $4 million total is a reminder that for all his faults, Pace is probably one of the better bargain hunters in the NFL.