Gil Brandt is one of the most accomplished football personalities in NFL history. He played a pivotal role in the establishment and rise of the Dallas Cowboys. He served as one of their top executives for two decades. A body of work that now lands him in the Hall of Fame. So he knows how to evaluate situations over the course of an offseason. From what he’s seen so far? GM Ryan Pace has put too much pressure on the upcoming Chicago Bears draft.
Brandt wrote a column for NFL.com recently. In it, he listed the seven teams that he feels must have a strong draft this month if they’re to get on the right track. Chicago ranked 4th on that list. Pace hasn’t done enough on the veteran market to soothe some of the glaring problems on the roster. Not just at quarterback but also on the defensive side. Particularly in the secondary.
“The seats under GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy can’t get any hotter coming off a second consecutive 8-8 season. Things would get a little cooler for the pair if the Bears could find a potential franchise quarterback in the draft to develop behind veteran stopgap Andy Dalton. Let’s not forget the Bears also need help at cornerback after releasing Kyle Fuller, and adding along the defensive line is imperative, too.”
It seems like they find themselves in a no-mans-land of sorts.
They desperately need an upgrade at quarterback. Yet their positioning in the draft isn’t likely to get them one. So what do they do? From Brandt’s perspective, their best option might be to go back to what has carried them the past three years. Keep the defense strong. This means finding a replacement for Fuller. His personal recommendation is Virginia Tech standout Caleb Farley, ironically of the same college as Fuller at Virginia Tech.
From a logic standpoint? That makes sense. The defense is still where the bulk of the Bears’ best talent is located. Until such time as they find a quarterback, the best thing for them to do might involve continuing to roll with good defense and just do everything possible to manage the game on offense. Something Dalton is certainly capable of.
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Chicago Bears draft needs a repeat of 2020
That is to say, finding multiple contributors for this coming season. The 2020 class was a pleasant surprise. Jaylon Johnson was outstanding as a rookie corner. Darnell Mooney broke the franchise record for most receptions by a first-year player. Cole Kmet also stood out as a blocker at tight end with the occasional good catch. Three solid players in a draft with no 1st round pick is solid production.
Now Pace will have to do it again. If anything, he’ll have to outdo himself. He has every pick in the first three rounds including the 20th overall. There are no excuses for him not to find a quality player at that spot. Yet people have doubts about it because the GM’s track record isn’t exactly stellar in the 1st round. Kevin White? Leonard Floyd? Mitch Trubisky? Thus far only Roquan Smith has stood out as a genuine hit.
One out of four isn’t exactly a good batting average in the draft.
This could very well be Pace’s last chance. If ever there was a time to hit it big? This is it. There will be a ton of pressure come draft weekend. Not just a season will be riding on it. Several jobs will be as well The Chicago Bears draft experts have never needed a signature moment more in the past 10 years than now. It will be fascinating to see which direction they go.