Bear Goggles On
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Ryan Pace explains lack of resources put into OLB this offseason

By Parker Hurley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (DL29) runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (DL29) runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Pace explains how the Chicago Bears missed out on any impact pass rushers this offseason

Entering the offseason the Chicago Bears biggest need was likely a pass rusher to put beside Leonard Floyd. Exiting the offseason, the biggest question on the roster is who will be the pass rusher opposite of Leonard Floyd? You can see that something went wrong.

Still, the Chicago Bears have overall been labeled as offseason winners. They took care of a lot of other spots despite missing on a pass rusher. So how did the Chicago Bears remain so active despite missing their biggest need?

Ryan Pace told Dan Pompei of the Athletic

"“It wasn’t a very deep position in the draft, or in free agency,” Pace said. “There were two guys worth taking high — Bradley Chubb and Marcus Davenport — and then a dip. The worst thing you can do is force it.”"

When it comes to free agency, Pace is absolutely right. Trent Murphy and Vinny Curry were two of the highest paid edge rushers who changed teams this offseason. No thanks.

As for the draft, it is interesting to note that Pace did not include Harold Landry.This can put away some of the Ryan Pace conspiracy theories. Both Chubb and Davenport were tied to the Bears while Landry was not. It is because the team was interested in those two. No smoke.

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Even more interesting is pairing these quotes along with his decision to take Roquan Smith despite bigger needs elsewhere.

Pace talked about leadership traits and how Smith could be a bell cow of a defense. Bradley Chubb was off of the board. It sounds like that is why the team passed on Marcus Davenport, the position of need, for Smith, the higher graded player.

From there, it sounds as though Fitts was one of their next highest ranked players. You could argue that they passed on Josh Sweat, who went to Philadelphia. However, nobody truly knows his health status in comparison to Fitts.

The Bears saw Fitts as a healthier bet, the Eagles may have seen Sweat in that same light. Time will tell.

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