Chicago Bears: Grading first wave free agency moves

The Nick Foles Trade

This is the big one. No one will let Ryan Pace live this down if it doesn’t pan out. But, as always with quarterbacks, if it pans out, Pace goes down a genius.

The Bears entered the offseason with very little draft capital in the top rounds (zero picks in the first and third). Luckily, they were awarded a compensatory pick in the fourth — only to trade it away.

Nick Foles is a highly-respected veteran who has worked with Matt Nagy, Bill Lazor and John DeFilippo. So, yes, this was a hand-picked move by the Bears. This is who they wanted.

Of course, Foles is a former Super Bowl MVP. He’s been to the Pro Bowl — and he earned that bid; it wasn’t a popularity vote. Foles has had major success in the NFL.

But, the fact the Bears gave up that fourth-round pick really hurts. Foles’ contract pays him just over $15 million this year and has a total of $21 million guaranteed left overall. If anything, Jacksonville could have sent a pick with Foles to the Bears.

This is a move that could end up working out, though. If the Bears get a healthy Foles, and allow him to truly compete (and win) the competition with Mitchell Trubisky, this move could end up being a positive. For now, it looks grim because of what Pace traded away.

Grade: C