Bryce Callahan was a bet Ryan Pace never wanted to make
Ryan Pace found Bryce Callahan as a hidden draft gem but never committed to giving him serious money
Ryan Pace should get all of the credit in the world for Bryce Callahan. In his first year as GM of the Chicago Bears, he brought in Bryce Callahan as a UDFA from Rice. Callahan took a few years to groom but over the past two seasons gave the Chicago Bears adequate play in the slot.
You would think Callahan would have some sentimental meaning to Pace. Pace would want to keep one of his first true hits in Callahan around, right? Quite the contrary, actually. Ryan Pace keeps emotion out of business, and for as much as he knows Bryce Callahan from finding him as a no-name prospect, he also knew that he would not commit serious money to Bryce Callahan
Original Round Tender
Let’s go back to the 2017 offseason. Callahan was coming off of his first full season starting in the slot, a successful year. However, as an RFA his situation moving forward was murky. The Bears had the opportunity to negotiate with him first and never came to terms.
After that, the Bears slapped an original round tender on Callahan. This meant that any team could sign Callahan, but the Bears would have the chance to match. If the Bears did not match, they would not get any compensation.
Pace could have paid an extra million dollars, which would have forced a team to trade a second round pick to the Bears if they wanted to sign Callahan. However, Pace told Callahan to test the market and was not worried about needing to match a deal.
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Pace had another chance in the preseason
Callahan tested his market and Pace proved correct that he would not have a market. Pace brought him back on the cheap for one more season to prove his worth.
Entering the regular season the team clearly felt good about Callahan and his starting spot in the slot. However, the never negotiated an extension. Callahan may have been betting on himself, but history does show that Pace was also not afraid to let him walk.
2019 offseason
Now, we are here. Bryce Callahan officially has a market for himself and deals for Justin Coleman and Tavon Young have provided a gateway for Callahan to make $9 million per year or more.
When it came time to pay up for Callahan; Pace walked away, signing a cornerback of a similar size and role to a cheaper deal.
Like finding a UDFA to provide two years of starting slot play, Pace thinks he can get the same magic out of Buster Skrine.
Does this mean Bryce Callahan will be a bust of a signing? Nobody knows for sure. However, Pace did get two years of starting slot play for way below market value
Ryan Pace never showed the commitment to keeping Bryce Callahan. When it was time for Callahan to stop being a bargain, Pace moved on. He had a price set in mind and stuck with it. Time will tell if this decision will pay off.