Ryan Pace isn’t stupid. He understands exactly what is in front of him. The Chicago Bears finished 8-8 after a ton of hype leading up to the 2019 season. It was a major disappointment in every way. His head coach appeared overmatched trying to field an actual offense and worse still his prized quarterback regressed in every conceivable way. Changes are needed this 2020 offseason if things are to get back on track. That includes having a productive NFL draft this coming April.
It won’t be easy. The Bears are without a 1st round pick for the second-straight season. That means he must make maximum use of the two 2nd round choices he’ll have. After the conclusion of the regular season, it’s been determined the team will hold the 43rd and 50th selections. While not ideal, having two top 50 choices at the end of the day isn’t bad. What matters though is whether Pace can take advantage of them.
Going by team history, the Bears haven’t exactly had the most luck with either of those picks. In total, the franchise has held #43 and #50 a combined two times. The two players they got? Defensive back Mike Spivey and linebacker Jonathan Bostic. Spivey didn’t last three full seasons in Chicago and recorded one interception. Bostic was traded a couple of weeks into his third year after an unremarkable run.
Chicago Bears haven’t changed their luck in that range much
For his part, Pace has only made one pick in his career within that range between #43 and #50. That came in 2017 when he took tight end Adam Shaheen 45th overall. As if the cringe wasn’t already bad enough. That said, the Bears did have a run of success prior to that. From 2004 to 2012, they managed to secure Tank Johnson, Matt Forte, and Alshon Jeffery at #44, #47, and #46 respectively. All went on to become standout contributors for the team with Forte and Jeffery both becoming Pro Bowlers.
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So there is hope. This may not be the most important draft in franchise history, but it’s absolutely the most important for Pace himself. This could be the draft that either saves his job or lands him on the chopping block. The Bears have failed to make the playoffs in four of the five years he’s been in charge. Ownership can ignore that for only so long before changes are required. That time is approaching.
