NFL Execs Loved Bears Offseason Save for One Bad Contract

The Chicago Bears offseason for 2018 earned widespread acclaim from both local and national experts. It's felt GM Ryan Pace did everything in his power to improve his team over the course of the past few months. He added a young, smart and vibrant head coach in Matt Nagy who assembled a new offensive staff that can fix the team's biggest issue. Vic Fangio was retained on a new three-year deal to maintain the defense. The offense got a wealth of new weapons for Mitch Trubisky. Among them include former Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson, Super Bowl hero Trey Burton, and rookie receiver Anthony Miller. The interesting question is rather what those around the league happen to think. For the most part, the thoughts were similar. Feelings are the Bears took a big step in the right direction. However, not every move was celebrated. According to ESPN one, in particular, was met with a degree of criticism.

"Chicago is a possible A grade for me," an exec said. "Nagy has a good mind, he's a leader, he is gregarious, he is everything you are going to want in a head coach. They brought in players who fit what he wants to do, with the only real bad contract being the Taylor Gabriel one." The 5-foot-8 Gabriel signed for $6.5 million per year, with $14 million guaranteed. One exec predicted Gabriel will have a harder time producing late in the season as weather and field conditions worsen. He thought Gabriel belonged on a team with an indoor stadium."

One can understand the business side of the matter. Handing a receiver that much money per year despite never topping 600 yards in a season? It's a major risk. The Bears are banking that Gabriel's impact in their system will be worth the high prices thanks to his speed and versatility. At the same time, the argument that he's somehow weak in certain conditions is a bit flawed.

Gabriel is plenty effective outside the confines of a dome

Sure, playing inside a dome can help anybody with speed but to say that Gabriel will somehow be lessened as an effective weapon when he plays outside? That's not entirely true. His career splits tell an interesting story. According to Pro Football Reference, Gabriel actually averaged more yards per reception outdoors in his career than he has indoors. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Matt-Ryan-Hits-Taylor-Gabriel-for-a-76-Yard-TD-Falcons-vs.-Eagles-NFL.mp4"][/video] There's plenty of evidence to suggest that Gabriel is a dangerous threat outdoors. Besides, there is a certain overlooked reasoning behind this signing that those executives failed to recall. Don't forget that the Bears play two of their most pivotal road games of the year in domes. One in Minnesota against the Vikings and the other in Detroit against the Lions. So even if their statement were correct, the Bears would now have a weapon perfectly suited to playing in those conditions. One mustn't forget the only time Gabriel visited Detroit he had 75 yards and a touchdown. He may not be a weapon of total devastation, but even smart bombs can have a huge impact when employed properly. That is what he'll be for them moving forward.