Chicago Bears: Grading every free agency move by Ryan Pace
By Ryan Heckman
Pernell McPhee and Willie Young were two high-octane players when healthy. Pace decided to cut them loose.
Pernell McPhee
McPhee was one of my favorite signings back in 2015. After coming from the Baltimore Ravens where he made a significant impact even as a non-starter, the Bears were looking to pull even more from him in Chicago.
McPhee was due about $8 million in 2018 had the Bears chosen to keep him. For someone who has seen a huge dip in playing time due to a string of injuries, the writing was on the wall for him to be released.
In three seasons with the Bears, McPhee finished with just 14 sacks.
Grade: B
Willie Young
Young performed even better than McPhee did, at least over his first three years with the Bears. He totaled 24 sacks, with 10 of those coming in his first season in Chicago in 2014. Young remained relatively healthy up until 2017 where he only played in four games. While the cut seemed necessary, I think Young could have given the Bears some depth for at least another season.
But, I’m not the general manager.
Young was due around $3.6 million from Chicago, and seeing as how he would turn 34 in September, Pace decided to cut ties. The entire team, at the moment, is under 30 years of age, outside of newly-signed backup quarterback Chase Daniel. Pace was simply following the pattern he had set early on this offseason by letting him go.
My guess with both of these releases is that Pace will go after outside linebacker and edge rusher in the draft by selecting multiple at that position. If he doesn’t, these cuts could come back to haunt him.