Following a roller coaster 2020 season, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy have hit the reset button. After another disappointing season from former second-overall pick Mitch Trubisky, the Chicago Bears had to move on. Knowing that anything short of a significant upgrade at the QB position would likely cost them their jobs at Halas Hall, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy were both desperate heading into the 2021 offseason.
When Russell Wilson trade rumors began floating around the league in March, Pace and Nagy were quick to inquire. Flying to Fargo, ND to meet with Seahawks brass about a potential trade for the disgruntled star quarterback, talks never materialized. Rumors were that Pace offered Seahawks general manager John Schneider three first-round picks and two defensive starters, but Seattle was set on keeping Wilson.
Just hours after failing to acquire Russell Wilson from the Seahawks, the Chicago Bears signed 11-year veteran QB Andy Dalton to a one-year $10 million dollar deal. Without much talent on the quarterback market in free agency, Pace and Nagy didn’t have many other options. Crushing the hopes of Chicago Bears fans and casting a dark shadow on Ryan Paces’ future, things were back to reality at 1920 Football Drive.
Starting the 2021 NFL draft with the 20th pick, the Bears weren’t in a great position to draft a quarterback. After Ohio State QB Justin Fields slipped all the way to the 11th pick, Ryan Pace was able to make a deal with the Giants to move up and grab Nagy’s guy.
Worthy of going No. 1 overall in many years’ drafts, Fields is a phenomenal talent at the quarterback position. Despite everything that happened in 2020, the Bears finally have a sense of direction at the most pivotal position in sports.
Because the drafting of Justin Fields stole the majority of offseason headlines, many of the other Bears roster moves haven’t been talked about a whole lot. Overall, it was a very solid offseason for Ryan Pace, and some experienced veterans were added to the Chicago Bears roster.
Here are five position groups that improved this offseason for the Chicago Bears: