Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace Evolution: Tackle

How has the offensive tackle position evolved since the arrival of Ryan Pace as General Manager of the Chicago Bears?

Ryan Pace is set to enter year four as the GM of the Chicago Bears. He now has established his roots in every position. With that said, it is a good time to look back on the Ryan Pace tenure.

We have looked at how he has evolved the quarterback room, running back room, wide receiver room, and tight end room. For this edition, how has Ryan Pace evolved the tackle position?

2015:

Charles Leno, Jermon Bushrod, Kyle Long

The cupboard was bare when Pace came in. There was only so much he could do. He inherited Leno and Bushrod, and the team had to move Long to tackle with the lack of depth.

2016:

Charles Leno, Bobby Massie, Mike Adams

The team at least added some tackles and admitted that Long was best off on the inside. Massie was a starting right tackle who got better as the season went on, and Adams at least was a depth tackle.

2017:

Charles Leno, Bobby Massie, Bradley Sowell, Tom Compton

After the Adams experiment failed, Pace went after building up the depth. Sowell and Compton serve as depth tackles who can kick inside if needed.

Sowell has stuck around the roster as well.

2018:

Charles Leno, Bobby Massie, Bradley Sowell, Earl Watford

It feels as though this was probably the time to do something about the right tackle spot. So far in these reviews, a theme of steady progression from bottom to top has taken place.

However, at tackle, he still has inherited his top asset. He signed Leno to a reasonable extension, but the team does have an issue at right tackle.

Last season he added Sowell who stuck. So, Pace has his future starter on the left side and his swing tackle to establish depth.

The pressure is on Massie, and on Pace to do something at right tackle.