Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has forked out a lot of money this year. He handed Khalil Mack a lucrative six-year extension when the team traded for him. Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton, and Cody Parkey all got nice contracts in free agency. However, the most overlooked part of his work has been extending players already on the roster who earned new paydays.
The two most prominent were Kyle Fuller and Eddie Goldman. Both got sizable extensions after playing their best seasons to date in 2017. Prince Amukamara also got a nice little payday too. Since then the big question has hovered around the team. Who will be the next to possibly get an extension?
Over the past month, people were certain the name at the top of the list was Adrian Amos. The young safety had rescued his starting job last season with a strong showing and it seemed like a natural choice. Then again time has proven that may have been premature. Instead it’s been another unheralded defensive back who could get his money.
SACK LUNCH Bryce Callahan! pic.twitter.com/qFLNr99o1S
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) October 28, 2018
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Great coverage by Bryce Callahan! pic.twitter.com/kcQvpRB1FF
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) October 28, 2018
Bryce Callahan turning into a wonderful find by Ryan Pace
Undrafted free agency used to be uncharted waters for the Bears. They never found players of value. That seems to have changed with the arrival of Pace and no player exemplifies that more than Bryce Callahan. The former undrafted corner out of Rice has developed into one of the best slot defenders in football. Not only is he rock solid in coverage. He’s also an effective blitzer.
Not only did he have a sack and a tackle for loss in the game against New York. He also posted three pass breakups that helped stop Jets drives. He was all over the field. It’s proof that Pace made the right decision not only to bring him back but to also sign him to just a one-year deal. He wanted to see if the 27-year old responded in a contract year.
He has. Including Sunday he now has an interception, a sack, and four passes defended in seven games. Not to mention three tackles for loss. The big question for Pace isn’t whether he can play anymore. It’s how much will he ask for next year. The highest-paid slot corner in the NFL, Chris Harris Jr. of Denver, is making $8.5 million a year.
Callahan has been good but not on that level. Odds are it will fall somewhere between $5-7 million per year depending on how he finishes the season.
