Chicago Bears: While media bash Ryan Pace, he gets support from Hall of Fame executives

Chicago Bears general manager was criticized by the media and fans for his moves in the NFL Draft. Two Hall of Fame executives support his moves, however.

The blowback from the moves Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace made in the NFL Draft continues. Many fans and media members remain confused on what Pace did and why he did it. Also, he’s received much criticism for giving up important draft picks (they had 7 picks originally and ended up with just 5) and drafting 3 of them from non-FBS schools.

While the critics keep hitting Pace, he’s getting some support from high places. Bill Polian and Ron Wolf, two Hall of Fame executives, like Pace’s bold moves. Polian led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He also led the Indianapolis Colts to two Super Bowl appearances, winning one of them.

Wolf assembled two Super Bowl champions with the Oakland (or Los Angeles or Las Vegas) Raiders and won another one with the Green Bay Packers.

Both men praised Pace for his stealth and bold moves.

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Pace impressed Polian by the way he kept quiet and made his move to get Trubisky.

"The Bears kept quiet. They talked with San Francisco, they made a deal and boom, they took him at the very spot that Cleveland could have had they made a deal with San Francisco and assured themselves of both guys.I thought it was just tremendous of Ryan Pace. Great move, great organizational move, great discipline in terms of keeping things quiet and staying out of the press. Bottom line: Great, great move. That’s what general managers are paid to do. That’s draft management at its best."

In addition, Wolf gave credit to Pace for having the conviction to determine a need and do whatever he had to do to get it filled.

"I admire anyone with the gumption to do that. If they have the conviction, which they obviously do, that this is their savior … you go and get him. It takes intestinal fortitude and Pace displayed that. He has a belief in the player. And not only Pace, but the other people must be in line with that, too. If that’s your guy, you go do it.You’ve got to give credit where credit is due. They thought enough of Trubisky and got him. Lord knows they needed a quarterback, so they got one."

So, while many media members and fans alike continue to bash Pace, executives inducted into the Hall of Fame admire him for his moves. These are guys who made moves to win Super Bowls. They know what it takes to assemble championship teams.

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Whether you like the moves or not, you have to admit that Pace made some bold moves. If the Bears become winners or continue to lose, we will look back to the 2017 offseason as the beginning of a new era or the beginning of the end of Pace. Of course, only time will tell which one we’ll be talking about in a few years.