Ryan Pace is known for his willingness to take calculated risks. Not only with his bold trades, especially during the draft but also placing a trust that young players will improve if given enough time. It's not a terrible way of thinking because it can sometimes work out. Look at Kyle Fuller as a shining example. However, too often there are times when it can blow up in a team's face. Kevin White being one recent reminder. Now the Chicago Bears are being haunted by another.
At the end of 2018, Pace seemed like a confident guy. One of his prized draft choice, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd finished the season pretty strong with four sacks in his final six games. This after being blanked through the first eight. The GM believed that the 26-year old was turning the corner after a rocky start to his career and was ready to take off in 2019. That's why the Bears picked up his 5th year option in his rookie contract.
While this move wasn't a surprise, not everybody shared his optimism. They felt it would've been wise for the Bears to invest some of their limited cap space in finding a bit more help for their pass rush. Just in case, you know? Pace did not heed those warnings. His big move was simply re-signing veteran Aaron Lynch to maintain the depth.
Now here the Bears are. Through seven games they have 19 sacks as a team but just two in the previous three games. Floyd? He has only two sacks in those seven games. Lynch? He has one. Their inability to affect the quarterback has allowed opponents to focus on Khalil Mack since Akiem Hicks is on injured reserve.
Yet that isn't the worst part.
Ryan Pace could've gotten pass rush help for cheap in March
Pace prides himself on his ability to find bargains in free agency who can help his team. To be fair, he accomplished this goal again in 2019. Cornerback Buster Skrine and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have each proven to be quality additions to the Bears secondary at favorable prices. However, his glossing over of the edge rusher position has proven far more impactful. Here is a list of notable names that were signed by other teams in free agency, what it cost to get them and how many sacks they currently have.
- Markus Golden - 6 sacks ($3.75 million)
- Bruce Irvin - 3.5 sacks ($4 million)
- Shaquil Barrett - 10 sacks ($4 million)
- Benson Mayowa - 5.5 sacks ($1.7 million)
- Terrell Suggs - 5 sacks ($5 million)
All of those guys are getting paid way less than Floyd right now. Four of them have more than double his sack total. Only one of them has been playing across from a talent near Mack's level (Suggs with Chandler Jones). This should put into perspective just how big of a disappointment he's been and also how much Pace deluded himself into thinking no backup plan was warranted. Now the Bears defense is paying for it. With the season slipping away, they must go against some of the best offensive lines in the NFL down the stretch with a one-man pass rush.
Not ideal.
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