One thing that is often overlooked about the NFL draft process is there are actually people who look forward to it even more than the fans or the draftniks. Those are the scouts and the personnel directors. Guys who put in tons of hours seven days a week to find the right talent in the college ranks to make their teams better. It’s no different for the Chicago Bears. Last month was supposed to be a celebration for those guys. Instead, they were forced to watch the process play out at home due to the COVID-19 crisis. GM Ryan Pace was sympathetic to them.
He’s a former scout himself. He lived that life for many years in New Orleans. So he understands the disappointment they must feel not being able to be together when the fun started.
It is here where the Bears gave a glimpse of just how underrated Pace is as a leader. Inside The Bears provided a behind-the-scenes look before the draft and how the GM gave his people a tremendous speech.
“I know we’ve been dealing with some unusual and unprecedented circumstances. Every single one of you guys hasn’t blinked. We’re not going to be all together for this draft and that’s unfortunate because I think that one of the best feelings is when you guys have done all the work and we get to celebrate together as we selected players that make us better.
We’re going to nail this draft. We’re going to nail this college free agency. It’s because all the work that you guys have put in. Every single person on this call.”
Ryan Pace has his faults but he is unquestionably a leader
Most people lately have loved to kill Pace. Typically it’s due to the ongoing crisis at quarterback he helped create when he drafted Mitch Trubisky three years ago. A mistake he’s not likely to live down anytime soon. If ever. That said, his legacy can’t be defined by that one moment, gigantic as it was. Pace played a pivotal role in turning the entire franchise around from the state of ruin it was in during the winter of 2015.
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It was his efforts that put together this roster. One that includes a top 5 defense, a star wide receiver, and a young, energetic head coach. People can say Pace made a lot of mistakes along the way, which is fair. Still, he deserves a lot of credit for being a leader through some pretty rough times. Much of which was out of his control.
