Chicago Bears Ryan Pace was mocked, now look at the rest of the league

 Earlier in the offseason, Chicago Bears’ Ryan Pace was ranked as the worst General Manager in the league; oh is he now?

Remember when the Chicago Bears decided to cut ties with underwhelming gunslinger, Jay Cutler? A bold move by Ryan Pace that was immediately followed by a rather expensive signing of current Arizona Cardinals’ backup, Mike Glennon.

The deal was indeed a head-scratcher, as the former Buccaneer’s backup never gleamed “franchise guy”, but Pace felt confident enough to ink the veteran to a three-year, $45 million contract with $18 million of it fully guaranteed. Essentially a one-year, prove it, deal. The move was mocked of course but the young GM sent a message on the value he places at the quarterback position.

Let’s look around the league and see some similar offseason signings in 2018.

What if I were to tell you that Case Keenum, yes, former Rams’ backup Case Keenum, would sign a two-year, $36 million contract with $25 million in guarantees by the Denver Broncos.

I know Keenum had a fantastic 2017 season with a very comfortable situation in Minnesota, but this is his fourth team in his career.

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How about the luckiest man in all of football, Sam Bradford? Bradford has missed over 30 games in his career because of a rather lengthy list of injuries. Even though that list of injuries includes two torn ACLs, a shoulder surgery, and numerous ankle sprains, Bradford was rewarded with a two-year $40 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Also, a $10 million dollar signing bonus.

Speaking of injuries, Teddy Bridgewater suffered a gruesome injury on a drop back in practice and signed a one-year $15 million deal with the Jets…to be the third-string quarterback.

I know Glennon may not have had the resume to be deemed worthy of his contract, but at least Ryan Pace wasn’t paying top dollar for a journeyman or an injury-plagued player.

All of these QB deals are strikingly similar to what Ryan Pace did with Mike Glennon. When you have a hole at the quarterback position, you do whatever it takes to fill the void.

What about the acquisition of Mitch Trubisky and how ludicrous it was for Pace to give up SO many picks just to move up one spot….for a franchise quarterback.

Folks, there may not be a more important position in all of sports than that of QB. Having a franchise guy can hide an innumerable amount of deficiencies, I mean, did you see Green Bay without Aaron Rodgers?

Could you imagine what Seattle would look like if Russell Wilson wasn’t back there accounting for 82% of the team’s total offense?

Pace traded the No. 3 pick, a second rounder, a third rounder, and third rounder the following year in order to move up one spot to acquire Mitch Trubisky.

Again, many criticized Pace for overpaying in order to get a guy that could have taken with their initial spot in the draft. However, as stated before and has been the mindset of Ryan Pace, you do whatever it takes to get your guy, especially when there are still rumors out there that other teams were looking to trade up too.

If only there were other examples of teams spending vast draft capital in order to move up to get a quarterback. Oh, wait.

The New York Jets may have had to move up two more spots than the Bears, having to go from the No. 6 to No. 3 pick, but the haul sure cost more.

Jets’ GM Mike Maccagnan gave up his spot in the first round, as well as three second-round picks- two in 2018 and one in 2019. That appears to be the same if not, more to give up than what Ryan Pace gave.

Brandon Beane in his first offseason with the Buffalo Bills has made some audacious moves in order to get his quarterback situation just right. Not only did Beane decide to trade the QB that led the team to playoffs for the first time in 18 years, but also traded up from No. 12 to No. 7 the help of two second-round picks as well to draft quarterback Josh Allen from Wyoming.

By the way, Tyrod Taylor was the quarterback Beane traded. Taylor was traded to the Browns in and was regarded as a franchise stabilizer that would help win some games. In fact, because of this trade, some analysts predicted John Dorsey might select running back Saquon Barkley with the first selection.

Many of you know the Browns selected Baker Mayfield with the No.1 pick- quarterback.

Even after signing the often-hurt Bradford to a significant deal, the Cardinals also traded three picks to move up five spots to land quarterback Josh Rosen from UCLA.

Heck, even the Ravens traded back into the first round to acquire 2016 Heisman trophy winner, Lamar Jackson from Louisville. But Joe Flacco is elite right?

Numerous teams around the league have taken the same steps that Bears’ GM Ryan Pace has set the precedent for.

While Pace has had his share of ‘duds’ in terms of bad signings, Glennon included, he has shown he isn’t afraid to be bold in order to reap the potential benefits. Yes, Pace gave up valuable assets both with signing Mike Glennon to a big deal and trading up for Mitch Trubisky. However, Glennon was paid to mentor and set an example for a rookie QB, and Trubisky has shown glimpses of being a dynamic talent but more importantly, a great leader of a franchise.

Many may have mocked Pace in the beginning, but numerous franchises around the league have followed the precedent he set in front of them.