Follow Up: Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace ranked worst in the NFL
In early April, NFL.com released a power rankings of all the active GM’s in the league. There were six new general managers, so they were left exempt off the list because it wouldn’t be fair to rank them. But out of the 26 GM’s ranked, Chicago Bears Ryan Pace was ranked dead last. Why? Ask Gregg Rosenthal.
To recap, Ryan Pace has always been great for the Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft. Ryan Pace has put together a tremendous roster after inheriting a far different coaching staff and roster. From finding franchise players in early round picks such as Leonard Floyd and Mitch Trubisky, to a late round star in Jordan Howard. Pace has built a very formidable core in the windy city.
Pace’s late round success is what’s most notable about his drafting skills. He has put together a tremendous young roster using his late round finds to push Chicago to some early success. Those finds include players such as Adrian Amos, Eddie Jackson, Tarik Cohen, Eddie Goldman and Cody Whitehair. These players have made such an early impact on the team that Chicago feels as if they’re ready to compete now.
While bringing in a great coaching staff for the 2018 season (on paper), fans are excited to get behind first year coach Matt Nagy’s offense. For a team that has been starved of offense for years in the past, these were big moves. Add in the additions made in free agency, the 2018 offseason will go down as one of the best ever for the Chicago Bears.
The 2018 offseason has been magical for Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears. The free agent additions are going to surprise a lot of people around the NFL. The national media loves to hate on Chicago, as if these additions aren’t going to turn the team around. Analysts from every network think the Bears are still a six win team. They’re wrong.
Two receivers that were on the 2017 Bears roster are still on the roster as of today. Those include Josh Bellamy and Kevin White. In free agency, Chicago added offensive weapons in Allen Robinson, Trey Burton and Taylor Gabriel. Chicago also traded up in the second round of the draft and picked wide receiver Anthony Miller, who many around the league believe can become a star. Plug in Adam Shaheen and Nagy’s offensive scheme, this offense is going to look completely revamped in the 2018 season.
But even with all of these additions, there was always still something missing. A pass rush. Chicago has had a formidable pass rush the past few seasons, but they’ve needed help to get over the hump to really push them to a premier defense. Enter Khalil Mack. A week before the 2018 NFL Season is underway, the Chicago Bears acquired former defensive player of the year and star pusher Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. This move is the icing on the cake to an already phenomenal offseason, and this will absolutely push the Bears already top ten defense to new heights.
When you look at all of the acquired players and coaches compared to where the Chicago Bears were four years ago, it’s pretty clear Ryan Pace has done a tremendous job. Obviously now the additions need to translate into wins, but there isn’t a doubt in Chicago anymore. Expectations are as high as they’ve ever been in recent years, and Ryan Pace has faith that this roster will deliver. They may not be Super Bowl contenders in 2018, but they will demand and get the rightful respect they deserve. If Ryan Pace is still the worst GM in the NFL, you don’t know football.