How Ryan Pace Took The Bears From Pretender To Contender In 8 Months

GM Ryan Pace has his critics, but he's not a fool. The man has demonstrated from the outset that he knows what it takes to build a successful football team. The one he inherited back in 2015 did not embody that vision in any way. It was going to take a ton of hard work to get the Chicago Bears back to respectability, not to mention plenty of headaches. After three straight losing seasons, a completely overturned roster and a fired head coach, Pace came into 2018 knowing he had to put together the offseason of his life. Fans were getting impatient. Ownership voiced their support but it's clear their expectations are rising. He has to win soon. To do that, this spring and summer needed to be his time to shine. Could he deliver though? In the Super Bowl era, it's generally accepted that the best offseason the Chicago Bears ever had came in 1983. At that point in time, the franchise had something interesting building, but nobody viewed them as a looming threat in the NFC. They still had Walter Payton, a young top 5 quarterback in Jim McMahon and some studs on defense in Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary. They needed more though. They got it in the spring and summer of that year. GM Jim Finks, in what would be his last offseason with the team, put together his masterpiece.

Drafted:

• Jimbo Covert (2x Pro Bowler)
• Willie Gault
• Dave Duerson (4x Pro Bowler)
• Mike Richardson
• Richard Dent (Hall of Fame)
• Mark Bortz (2x Pro Bowler)
• Tom Thayer

Re-signed:

• Steve McMichael (2x Pro Bowler)
• Jay Hilgenberg (7x Pro Bowler)
• Dan Hampton (Hall of Fame)
• Gary Fencik (2x Pro Bowler)

Signed:

• Matt Suey
• Dennis McKinnon

That is 13 starters Finks would retain or acquire in the space of just a few months. Several of them were current or future Pro Bowlers including two who would eventually end up in Canton. That group would form the foundation of the team that became the fabled 1985 Bears who won the Super Bowl in dominant fashion just two years later. It was felt that nobody could ever compete with what the Bears did back then. Well, at least on paper, Pace took one hell of a whack at it over the past eight months.

2018 Chicago Bears offseason could be most significant in team history

Please understand that it's acknowledged the games haven't been played yet. So many things need to happen before putting proper praise on what the young GM has done. Even so, if things pan out as they could, even at 80% success, this might end up being the best offseason the team has had in over 30 years and maybe the best ever. Let's review shall we?

January 8th:  Hired Matt Nagy as head coach

One can never underestimate the value of finding quality coaches. The buzz around Matt Nagy when his name entered head coaching circles was significant. Not only a respected offensive mind but also a leader who learned under one of the best in Andy Reid. In fact, Reid himself said Nagy might be the best head coach candidate he's ever produced. The results so far speak for themselves. Bears players have clearly bought into his message.

January 12:  Re-signed Vic Fangio

As important as hiring Nagy was, his ability to convince Vic Fangio to return may have been the biggest move of the offseason that isn't player-related. Fangio is one of the top defensive coordinators in the NFL. His unit finished in the top 10 last season with what was a banged up cast aside from a few standouts. His ability to teach, scheme and adjust are rivaled by few. Give him enough talent and he'll shut down anybody.

March 14th:  Signed Allen Robinson

The Bears haven't employed a wide receiver of the All-Pro caliber since Brandon Marshall was traded three years ago. That changed when they signed 24-year old Allen Robinson. Despite coming off an ACL injury, he's shown in the past that he can be a matchup nightmare for defenses with his mix of size, speed, and route running skill. His 2015 season with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns was proof.

March 14th:  Signed Trey Burton

Normally when teams sign Super Bowl heroes, they tend to be fools gold. Many believe Trey Burton is a different case. The executor of famed "Philly Special" is a much better player than his numbers show. His isn't about talent but opportunity, having been stuck behind two rock-solid tight ends in Brent Celek and Zach Ertz most of his career. It's his show now and there are already signs the Bears got something.

March 14th:  Signed Taylor Gabriel

Speed is everything in the NFL. Teams that have it tend to have a lot more success, especially on offense. Taylor Gabriel is one of the fastest receivers in the NFL. The '85 Bears showed the value of having a vertical threat with Gault. Now this Bears team has their own. He's never going to be a star, but with Robinson, Burton and Jordan Howard pulling defensive attention, he's going to be a problem for defenses.

March 14th:  Re-signed Prince Amukamara

Not every move has to be for a star for it to be a good one. Prince Amukamara was a strong member of the secondary in 2017. His coverage was a big reason the defense did so well. Bringing him back on a three-year deal gave them much-needed stability at a position where they haven't really had it for a long time. He's a good player and also a respected veteran with leadership qualities.

March 16th:  Re-signed Kyle Fuller

The bigger move for the Bears was being able to hang onto Kyle Fuller. He was outstanding in 2017. Healthy for the first time in over a year, he delivered two interceptions, 22 passes defended and was second on the team in tackles. It was a breakout year in every sense of the word and enough to earn him a lucrative four-year extension. He'll continue to provide that same quality coverage moving forward. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1280x720-Roquan-Smith-highlights-vs.-Notre-Dame-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]

April 26th:  Drafted Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith was one of the best defensive players in college football in 2017. He won the Dick Butkus award for best linebacker and helped Georgia reach the national championship game. His mix of speed, instincts and physicality haven't been seen in a long time. Some have even compared him to the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. Even if that's true in a modest sense, this defense just picked up another playmaker.

April 27th:  Drafted James Daniels

James Daniels was a favorite in the draft community. Not only was the Iowa product viewed by many as the best center in the entire 2018 class, but he's also just 20-years old. That means he's not done growing or getting better by a long shot. To think the Bears added this potential monster to an interior that already features two quality guys in Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long certainly makes one smile.

April 27th:  Drafted Anthony Miller

One unnamed GM said there was a collective groan in their front office when the Bears traded up in the 2nd round to grab Anthony Miller. That's how much respect the young receiver out of Memphis has garnered. People are already comparing him to the likes of Antonio Brown and Steve Smith. Don't be fooled by his lack of size. The quickness, the agility, the route running and the alpha mentality makes it almost certain he'll find success.

April 28th:  Drafted Javon Wims

Pace has become known for finding quality talent later in drafts since he took over three years ago. Already three players he's drafted in the 4th round or later (Adrian Amos, Jordan Howard, and Eddie Jackson) are now established starters. Now it looks like 7th round rookie Javon Wims is destined to join them. He was a revelation in the preseason with 15 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown, showcasing a mix of speed and route running most didn't think he had coming out of Georgia.

September 1st:  Traded for Khalil Mack

Everybody thought Pace was finished by the end of preseason. He'd done everything he could with the resources he had available. Yet people couldn't help but wonder if he might've been able to do a little more. The team felt like it was so close to being ready for a playoff run. Apparently, the GM agreed, saving his biggest move for last.

In one of the great stunners of franchise history, the Bears sent four draft picks including two 1st rounders to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for star pass rusher Khalil Mack. The former 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, a man with 40.5 sacks since 2014, suddenly joins a defense that already finished in the top 10 a year ago. He joins a front that will include Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks, and Eddie Goldman. If people thought this group was tough before, now it could be downright savage. Most critics felt the Bears were a good team but they lacked one thing: a proven superstar. Not anymore.