First-year Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace had an above average offseason, this according to ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando, who graded each NFL team based on their transactions since the Super Bowl.
To help complete the project, Sando enlisted the help of ESPN analysts Bill Polian, Louis Riddick, Matt Williamson and Field Yates. Sando also took into account ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s draft grades.
Of all the analysts, Riddick is by far the most enthusiastic about the Bears’ offseason moves, telling Sando, “"The coaching staff is star-studded with a lot of brain power in Vic Fangio and Adam Gase. Whether Antrel Rolle can be the jack of all trades at strong safety in that 3-4, that is key. Eddie Goldman, if he can stabilize the nose, that is key. They are building it strong down the middle. I like how they have done it from the top down, GM to coach to coordinators and then strengthening the roster down the middle. Now, we'll see if it works."
While the Bears certainly strengthened the coaching staff with additions such as head coach John Fox, Fangio and Gase, the team was unable to solve its quarterback dilemma – Polian tells Sando he would have handled the Jay Cutler situation the same way the Bears handled it.
To be fair, the Bears had limited options available at quarterback, but until the most important position on the field is fixed, it’s hard to call the Bears a contender. However, the additions of outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, wide receivers Eddie Royal and Kevin White, defensive end Ray McDonald, Rolle and Goldman appear to be a step in the right direction.