GM Ryan Pace didn’t get off to the best start in free agency this year. Many people weren’t happy with his signing of Jimmy Graham. Most don’t see that as an ideal solution for the tight end problem. However, his maneuver to secure pass rusher Robert Quinn seems to have satiated the masses. They do love their dominant defense and the idea of Quinn, Khalil Mack, and Akiem Hicks on the field together certainly sounds appealing.
However, there is an undercurrent to how the Bears have operated to this point. Aside from Quinn, their acquisitions have either been re-signings of their own players or players like Graham who were cut by their previous team. Why would they do this? The answer rests on the 2021 draft. Namely the idea of stockpiling compensatory draft picks.
This is a process Pace began last year when he let Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan left for other teams. This eventually led to the Bears securing a 4th round compensatory pick in the upcoming 2020 draft. According to OverTheCap.com, based on the recent movement around the league so far the Bears are in line to grab even more picks next year.
Ryan Pace is playing the waiting game at this point
Clearly Pace has a plan. He’s hoping to augment his roster with veteran players who won’t count against the comp formula. This involves names that are either cut or traded by other teams. Nick Williams landed a nice deal from the Detroit Lions, as did Chase Daniel. Kevin Pierre-Louis turned his brief stint in Chicago into an opportunity with the Washington Redskins.
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If this holds as is, then the Bears will secure themselves three extra picks, pushing their total next year to 10. This is before other key names like Cornelius Lucas and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have secured their own deals. So there is a chance they could add even more. Regardless, the intent is clear. Pace is trying to set himself up for long-term success by stockpiling draft picks however possible.
