Emma: Ryan Pace, Bears Work Wisely On Day 1 Of Free Agency
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) The words that Ryan Pace used to describe free agency were "dangerous waters."
What did the Bears general manager mean?
Look around this sea of chaos and you'll find big money being heaved at free agents. In many cases, the bidding war resembles an auction. Do I hear $52.5 million guaranteed for Oliver Vernon? Sold, to the men in blue! Once the oddly termed "legal tampering" is done, the bidding often begins. NFL executives often make fast decisions to lock down a player they see as a fit. Of course, it's a risk playoff-ready teams can take.
Pace is wary of the whole free agency process. He believes in building through the draft and choosing wisely with free agents. After all, not all of these big-money additions will work out. Far too many will fail.
The Bears are building their way back up after bad investments coupled with years of poor draft decisions by Jerry Angelo and Phil Emery. Speaking most recently at the NFL Combine, Pace stated that he would work through these dangerous waters with great care. Wednesday's start to the league's new year offered evidence to his plan.
"Free agency is risky," Pace said in Indianapolis. "We have to be careful with this."
Wednesday brought the development of Pace's plan for this, such a crucial offseason. It showed the would work wisely.
Immediately changing the identity of the Bears defense is Danny Trevathan, the 25-year-old inside linebacker who led the Super Bowl champion Broncos with 109 tackles in 2015. Trevathan was signed for four years and $24.5 million, with $12 million of that guaranteed.
Trevathan's just the kind of player that the Bears have desired to sign. He's just now entering his prime and was one of eight linebackers to record more than 100 tackles and two interceptions in 2015. Trevathan's two interceptions would've tied Kyle Fuller for the Bears' team lead. He's the game-changing talent who Chicago lacked last season -- what kept it from winning more games in coach John Fox's first season.
Durkin's free agent breakdown: Danny Trevathan
Most importantly, Trevathan's an impact player at a position of dire need for the Bears. That's an instant, dramatic upgrade that Vic Fangio's defense needed.
Next up for Pace was locking down monstrous tackle Bobby Massie to a three-year deal. In doing so, the Bears have secured line stability, with Massie anchoring the right side, Kyle Long reportedly moving back to right guard and either Charles Leno or the potential No. 11 pick at left tackle.
While retaining cornerback Tracy Porter and running back Jacquizz Rodgers were both wise moves, the move of Long back to his strong spot of guard may be the Bears' greatest haul of the day.
Come Thursday morning, Pace will already be hard at work with his next priorities, which include re-signing tight end Zach Miller and closing on defensive end Akiem Hicks. The Bears are set to meet with Hicks on Thursday, a source said, as they're one of 12 teams that has shown strong interest in the 26-year-old standout who's a force in the backfield and can blow up plays.
Plenty more moves are ahead for the Bears, from re-signing more of their own free agents to identifying what pieces on the open market fit their puzzle. But there's a common trend to follow.
Pace and the Bears are looking for younger, better players than what Emery left him with in 2015. This roster will look drastically different in many facets come training camp, because Pace is looking to build in his vision. He trusts himself and his scouts to find fits in undervalued players entering their prime. Last March, it was the signing of linebacker Pernell McPhee, then 25 years old and the odd man out in the Ravens' defense. That was a great addition for Chicago.
The Bears weren't ever going to spend $90 million on defensive end Malik Jackson or pay up $60 million for guard Kelechi Osemele. Instead, Pace is looking for cost-efficient ways to maximize his roster with more talent. After all, this team has so many needs, Pace is better off spreading the chips across the roulette board rather than going all in on just one number.
Heck, even if Pace's players don't live up to their potential, this Bears roster will still be younger, faster, stronger and better than it was before.
We saw Wednesday what Pace's plan of attack looks like amid these dangerous waters of free agency. He's finding players in their prime who his scouting gut feels will make the Bears a perennial playoff team. Slowly but surely, the organizational depth seems to be building back up. More important days are ahead for the Bears brass.
The Bears are treading the right way with Pace's guidance.
To follow the action of the NFL's free agency, stay with the CBSChicago.com Free Agency Tracker.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
