Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace proving doubters wrong with roster building

He isn’t afraid to go after players, even when heavily criticized

During his time in Chicago so far, Pace showed that he doesn’t much care about what critics have to say. That was clear when he drafted Trubisky. The Bears owned the third pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers owned the second pick.

Pace felt there was a chance someone wanted to move up to get Trubisky. He felt that the quarterback was his man and he wasn’t going to miss out on his man. He gave up his first-round pick, his third-round pick, one of his fourth-round picks, and a 2018 third-round pick to move up just one spot.

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That move caused a minor earthquake. How could he give up all those draft assets just to move up one spot, and not even know if someone else wanted his guy?

Pace was a laughingstock for some time. Media experts thought the Niners fleeced Pace. To make matters worse, Pace signed Mike Glennon to a big free agent deal. Two years later, however, Trubisky showed that he has the tools to be a good quarterback and the face of the franchise.

Pace was adamant at getting Trubisky and ended up getting him. He put his job on the line for him and now does everything he can to make sure Trubisky succeeds.

Pace shows that he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a deal to get a player. In 2016, he traded up to draft Leonard Floyd. In 2017, in addition to the Trubisky deal, he made a quiet deal that ended up being huge. He wanted a certain safety in the fourth round. The San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers also wanted that safety. Pace made a deal to get one spot ahead of the Chargers. With the 112th pick Pace selected that safety — Eddie Jackson.

In 2018, Pace made another deal to pick up a player he had his eye on. He traded with the New England Patriots to pick up an extra second round pick. With that pick Pace got wide receiver Anthony Miller. Miller finished second among rookie wide receivers with seven touchdowns. He’ll be an important asset for the Bears offense.

This year Pace has just five picks. However, it’ll be interesting to see what deals he has up his sleeve.