Why Did Bears Want Tre Roberson So Bad? Pace Saw a Familiar Face

The Chicago Bears made their first notable splash of 2020 a few weeks back when they beat out nine other NFL teams to secure the services of Calgary Stampeders cornerback Tre Roberson. While the contract itself wasn't overly expensive, it was the second-largest handed out to a CFL player since Cameron Wake in 2009. Clearly the Bears thought enough of him to move so aggressively. Then the release of Prince Amukamara indicated he has a legitimate chance to compete for the starting job.

For his part, Roberson wanted Chicago for a number of reasons. The money was part of it. However, he had roots down at Illinois State in college and also is a native of Indianapolis, which is a short flight away. It seemed like a perfect fit. So what about the Bears' side of things?

GM Ryan Pace was asked about it during his first press conference since January down at the Scouting Combine. He stated the team's excitement about getting Roberson and indicated he saw a lot of somebody they know well in the cornerback's game.

"I don't want to put a ceiling on him. He's an intriguing player. Really good ball skills. Really good anticipation and instincts. He has...I'm not comparing him to (Kyle) Fuller...but he kind of has that style of play in anticipate and jump routes. He's a former quarterback so football intelligence is there."

Tre Roberson would be a score if he's 70% of Kyle Fuller

That is lofty praise indeed. Fuller has become one of the best cornerbacks in the league over the past two years. An All-Pro in 2018 and reaching his second Pro Bowl in 2019. Over that span, he's delivered 10 interceptions. How fitting is it that in that same exact time frame, Roberson collected 10 interceptions of his own for Calgary? The former quarterback went from undrafted free agent for the Vikings to a Canadia league star. Now he walks back in the front door with a chance to start for one of the best defenses in the NFL.

That's a pretty cool story. It will be an even better one if he ends up being even a poor man's version of Fuller. That would give the Bears two highly-productive cornerbacks. Something the best defenses usually need to have in order to dominate in this day and age.