To say this 2017 draft coming up is a big one would be an understatement of the year. Nobody knows this better than Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace. He knew exactly what he was getting into when he took the job in 2015. Not only had he inherited the oldest roster in the NFL, but also a fan base that had been badly scarred by some of the most divisive, effortless football the organization had ever put on a field.
There were bound to be road blocks. Per usual the league did not disappoint. His first two years have been marred by inconsistency, lack of discipline and rampant injuries. Such are the realities often encountered during a full-scale rebuild. Still, Pace knows that that his good faith period is coming to a close.
In this modern era teams are expected to show signs of progress by their third season under a given regime. Pace is feeling that pressure after his team just finished 3-13. Given the stakes, it’s clear that this upcoming draft, his third, is by far the most important he’s faced. Thus begs the question. How did other previous Bears GMs fair in their third years?
