Ryan Pace has made it clear since he became GM all the way back in 2015. His ultimate goal was to get the Chicago Bears to a point where they could draft, develop, and ultimately extend their own homegrown players. He believes this is the best possible method for sustained success for a franchise. He's not wrong. Look at the teams that in the playoffs all the time: New England, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Seattle.
They all have the same thing in common. The majority of their rosters are made up of players they drafted and developed from college. It took several years for Pace to clean up the mess left behind by his predecessors, but at last, in 2018 the first fruits of his labor were seen. A 12-4 record. A division title and the first playoff appearance in eight years. All of this done with a roster he put almost entirely together himself.
Several of his own acquisitions have already gotten second contracts including Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, Bobby Massie, and Prince Amukamara. He was also wise enough to keep other homegrown talents like Charles Leno Jr. and Kyle Fuller. Expectations are another such extension is imminent, and it's Leno's deal that will apparently help to make it happen.
Chicago Bears moving closer to extending Cody Whitehair
Pace is a man who likes to get his extensions done before a season begins. He did it with Leno in 2017 and again with Goldman last year. All signs point towards this cap maneuver being a stepping stone to helping the Bears complete a new deal with left guard Cody Whitehair. Something that has been expected for months. He was the next logical choice in the line of draft picks who could earn one.
Whitehair is coming off the best season of his career, making the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Though he's shifting from center to guard, it's not expected to affect his upcoming pay raise too much. Pace is big on continuity when it comes to his offensive line. He extended Leno two years ago and then Massie back in January. He also worked to ensure Kyle Long could remain with the team by having him accept a slight pay cut. Whitehair is a young fixture they absolutely want to keep in place long-term.
Based on previous timelines, expect this thing to be hammered out and finished before opening kickoff on September 5th.
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