GM Ryan Pace met with the
Chicago Bears media for the first time in a few weeks. Preparations continue to gather momentum with the NFL scouting combine set to kick off down in Indianapolis. This marks the latest big opportunity for him and his staff to get some work done on improving the roster. What everybody wants to know is where his priorities will focus.
Obviously, the kicking position is foremost on his mind. His previous two acquisitions in
Connor Barth and
Cody Parkey have been nothing short of disasters. Pace indicated his intent to have a big competition this year to find somebody who can finally be that long-term solution at a position that has cost the Bears a lot of games in recent years.
However, the GM also betrayed an interesting note when asked about the running back position. Everybody has heard by now the team might be seeking different options there given
Jordan Howard's questionable scheme fit. To this point he and Matt Nagy have sidestepped such rumors. While he remains non-committal, Pace did reveal some key information regarding his recent activities.
https://twitter.com/patrickfinley/status/1100789599599775744
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AulKQTFyXzc
Ryan Pace certainly isn't wasting time on that running back search
Keep in mind the combine hasn't even started yet. So for Pace to absorb as many as five running backs in interviews is at least noteworthy. Remember that Howard is in the final year of his rookie contract. It doesn't appear like the Bears are in any hurry to give him a long-term extension and, if the rumors are true, may not want to.
If so then their sense of urgency at adding another piece to the position would be high. Pace admitted the team did at least discuss the idea of signing
Kareem Hunt but talks never got serious on it. He also added some clarification as to his priorities for drafting a running back. He wants somebody with "instinct and vision." It's something he tells his guys a lot. Don't get caught up in the measurables.
That's probably good because this 2019 class of backs can best be called "undersized." Most of the top names peak at no bigger than 5'10. That isn't a dealbreaker, especially this day and age but it's worth noting this. Of the top five rushing leaders in 2018 last season? None of them measured less than 5'11. The only one to top 1,000 yards was
Phillip Lindsay in Denver who is 5'8.
Something to keep in mind as this search continues to unfold. It will be interesting to see how things shake out at the combine.
