Ryan Pace Expresses Excitement In Direction Of Bears' Offseason

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) General manager Ryan Pace established his hope to bring the Bears younger, better talent in free agency. While he reminded that it can be a risky proposition, it seems as if his team is better because of its recent moves.

The Bears signed inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, plus added tackle Bobby Massie and re-signed tight end Zach Miller and cornerback Tracy Porter, part of what Pace has termed the first wave of free agency.

Speaking recently to ChicagoBears.com, the franchise's official site, Pace explained his moves of free agency.

"You're looking for guys that still have upside, that are still getting better," Pace said. "So obviously when they're 25 or 26, you're still hoping that they're (ascending). But you've got to be careful. Players become free agents for different reasons. Most clubs are trying to retain their players, so you're trying to figure out, 'Why is he available?' It could be because the team has a lot of depth at the position or they have salary cap issues. You're just trying to navigate through that. You're always wary in free agency."

Trevathan was the Bears' biggest signing of the offseason, an inside linebacker who turns 26 on Thursday. With the Broncos in their Super Bowl run last season, Trevathan recorded 109 tackles.

"I almost look at Trevathan as signing one of our own players because John and his staff drafted him and they know him very well," Pace said. "He's athletic, explosive and instinctive; all the things we look for. But beyond that, he brings a ton of energy and passion in the way he plays. He has a physical style, but he also has a charismatic personality, which I think is good to have around here. And we always talk about recruiting sore losers. All of these (free-agent acquisitions) come from organizations where losing isn't acceptable."

One of the Bears' biggest moves of the offseason came with the signing of tackle Massie, which in turn moved Kyle Long back to right guard.

Massie and Long work together with LeCharles Bentley, the former NFL offensive lineman, and had gained a cohesiveness before Massie even signed with the Bears. Pace feels optimistic about Long's future at guard.

"It's just putting your best five out there," Pace said. "We've got grades on all these players and we put our five highest-graded offensive linemen on the field, and it puts Kyle back at guard where he has more experience. But he played well at tackle, too. Again, he's a versatile player. We're excited about Bobby Massie and what he brings to the table, and then it puts Kyle at a position where we know that he's performed at a very high level."

The Bears now move into the later portion of free agency, in which general managers carefully maneuver with the hopes of finding value. The NFL Draft remains ahead at the end of April, with Pace gaining another opportunity to bolster his Bears roster.

Throughout that time and potentially beyond, Pace will be working with receiver Alshon Jeffery's representation to negotiate a long-term deal -- something the Bears have actively been on. If they don't reach a deal by July 15, Jeffery will play under the one-year franchise tag.