Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace gets 2 year contract extension
By Eric Brown
Despite the firing of John Fox after an underwhelming 2017 season, many expected General Manager Ryan Pace to be safe this offseason. Just a day after the season ended the Bears made it official, Pace has received a two year contract extension through the 2021 season, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs.
In extending Pace, Chicago is showing that this is a long rebuild and not a one year battle to the top. This team still needs plenty of work, and plenty of serviceable players, and with Pace around to judge the players the Bears should be in great shape moving forward.
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To judge Pace is tough after consistently striking out in free agency (looking at you Mike Glennon and Kendall Wright), and previous draft classes being decimated with injuries. But to prove how great he is at judging talent look no further than Chicago’s 2017 draft class.
The Bears may have gave up multiple picks to trade up to the number 2 spot, but at least they have their franchise Quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. Even with all his struggles in 2017, Trubisky should take the next step forward in 2018 with presumably a new Offensive Coordinator (Bye Dowell Loggains).
Two weapons that Trubisky will have on offense will be Tight End Adam Shaheen and Running Back Tarik Cohen. Shaheen was a high-risk, high-reward second round draft pick that left many fans questioning what Pace was doing. After Zach Miller went down with what could be a career ending injury Shaheen stepped up and answered the call. All signs point to Shaheen being the opening day starter come 2018.
Cohen, after being a fifth round draft pick out of North Carolina A&T proved that he should have been a day one pick during the 2017 draft. Game after game Cohen displayed speed and vision that backup running backs typically do not have. Maybe a new offensive coordinator will figure out how to use him in 2018, at least one can hope so.
Related Story: 2018 Mock: Bears grab Arden Key
The Bears are on a mission to get back to the Super Bowl, and Ryan Pace will be the one to lead the team back to the final game of the season. What do you think of Pace getting a contract extension? Let us know in the comments below.