Chicago Bears: Should fans embrace Ryan Pace or grab the pitchforks?
By Nathan Burns
Let’s take a look back at Ryan Pace’s history with the Chicago Bears
2006. That was the last time the Chicago Bears were playing for a Super Bowl title. 14 long seasons ago. It’s been rough and disappointing ever since. Then in 2015, a man was rumored to get the Bears out of the dark ages.
His name was Ryan Pace, and he was the new talk of the city. A young-minded General Manager, who earned credibility with the New Orleans Saints. After firing Phil Emery, The Bears were finally looking in the right direction. Let’s take a look back and see just how good
April 30th – 2015 NFL Draft
Ryan Pace’s first, big chance to make a splash in Chicago came in his first season when the Bears had the seventh-overall pick in the draft. The Bears were desperately in need of a wide receiver, and the two big names in the class were Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Cooper being from Alabama, had gotten a major spotlight. White played at West Virginia for one season, after transferring from a JUCO.
Amari Cooper got drafted fourth overall to the Oakland Raiders, leaving Pace to take White with the seventh pick. White having had one good college season, was looked upon as a risky pick. Ryan Pace has been the General Manager for 6 seasons now, and he couldn’t possibly take an unproven player in a draft again during that time, right? Just wait….
April 27th – 2017 NFL Draft
Ryan Pace gets the third pick in the NFL draft and gets the chance to redeem himself. Just to remind everyone, The Bears signed Mike Glennon to a three-year 45 million dollar deal prior to the draft.
I had it in my mind for some reason that the Bears were going to do the 2017 Draft right and take Jamal Adams. Adams was looking like the next star safety and I figured Pace was thinking the same. Nope.
For a second, everyone in Chicago’s heart dropped. Roger Goodell came onto the stage to announce the Bears had traded with the 49ers and were now on the clock. It still gives me chills to this day. “With the second pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select…. Mitchell Trubisky. Quarterback. North Carolina”(Goodell). Ryan Pace gave up picks to draft Mitchell Trubisky.