A lot of Chicago Bears fans aren’t happy with Ryan Pace right now? That isn’t a surprise. Despite his much-celebrated work in the draft that saw him nab quarterback Justin Fields, his work since has come under scrutiny. Most of it centering on how the GM has handled the contract negotiations with star receiver Allen Robinson. Despite several months to find common ground on an extension, the two sides failed. Ian Rapoport confirmed Robinson will play 2021 on the one-year franchise tag contract.
This means that barring something unexpected, the receiver will be a free agent in 2022. While hard to understand on its own, what makes it even more baffling is the Bears are doing this after adding a young quarterback. One they’re hoping to build around moving forward. Then right after landing Fields, they stand to lose the best pass target on the team. This is merely further confirmation that Pace has no real concept on how to build a proper offense.
Then again, the Bears GM does have a bit of history on his side.
Everything about his track record until now suggests confidence that he can reload a wide receiver position both quickly and at a favorable price. There are some key examples to help illustrate this.
In 2015 the Bears signed Cameron Meredith as an undrafted free agent. A year later he led the team with 888 yards receiving. If not for a catastrophic knee injury, he might’ve been one of the biggest finds in Bears history.
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Last year Pace moved up to draft Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the 5th round. He went on to set the single-season franchise record for receptions by a rookie.
One must also not forget Pace was the one who signed Robinson in the first place. So it’s not like he is incapable of finding capable receivers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5hW1CM5P2s&ab_channel=ChicagoBears
Ryan Pace is not one to fear this sort of challenge
This is a man who grabbed David Montgomery in 2019 with no 1st or 2nd round picks. He secured Mooney last year with no 1st or 3rd round picks. Not having a 1st round pick against in 2022 isn’t likely to make him cower in the corner. Even if they lose Robinson to free agency. If he could rapidly rebuild around Mitch Trubisky as he did in 2018, then why can’t he do the same for Justin Fields?
This is not an effort to defend Ryan Pace. Or condemn him for that matter. It is an attempt to explain his thinking. The man’s history says a lot about this entire situation. He doesn’t place a high value on wide receivers. That isn’t a position the GM believes big money should be poured into. Not when quality talent can be regularly unearthed every year coming out of college.
It is a logical process. Not foolproof but logical.
Pace seems prepared to take the gamble. Losing Robinson will hurt in the short term, but the Bears are thinking years down the road. If Fields is the real deal like they think he is? Finding him weapons who can produce shouldn’t be overly difficult. That money could thus be used to improve other more vital areas like the offensive line, the pass rush, and the secondary.