Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace retains talent, also adds to roster

Sam Acho, Linebacker

The Bears have a situation at linebacker. They released Pernell McPhee and Jerrell Freeman. Then they lost Christian Jones to the Detroit Lions. They made sure they didn’t lose another linebacker. They re-signed Sam Acho.

I guess the team finally has some confidence in Acho. He spent the previous three seasons signing one-year, minimum salary deals. Now, they signed him to a…two-year deal. It’s for $7.5 million, so that’s great for him.

With the exits of the other linebackers, Acho has a shot now at the starter’s job. He’ll have competition, however. Expect the Bears to find a veteran linebacker in free agency and get another one through the draft. He did have an effective 2017, recording 40 tackles and three sacks after stepping in due to injuries to the other players.

Now, even if he doesn’t start, he’ll have a bigger role on the team. He can play either inside or outside, offering the flexibility defensive coordinator Vic Fangio covets in his players.

Next: Signing Allen Robinson hugely important

There are other moves the Chicago Bears make this offseason. Some teams will make surprise cuts and fill the space with more players. The moves made so far made the fans smile. Now, with the other moves they make, the success translates on the field.