Ryan Pace Should Hire a Consultant to Help the QB Problem
The Chicago Bears took an unusual step in hiring their new GM back in 2015. Rather than just conduct the search themselves, chairman George McCaskey and team president Ted Phillips decided to hire an outside consultant. Somebody with lots of NFL experience who could help them navigate the interview process in order to find the right guy for the job. This is what eventually led them to hire Ryan Pace.
All things considered, it was a good move. Pace managed to rebuild the roster into one of the most talented the franchise has seen in over a decade. However, most people haven’t been able to appreciate it for one overarching reason.
The problems at quarterback.
Thus far his most notable moves haven’t exactly worked out well. Mike Glennon was supposed to be a nice placeholder in 2017. He flamed out after four games. Mitch Trubisky was supposed to be the savior of the franchise and has instead settled into the all-too-familiar purgatory of being mediocre. Even Marcus Mariota, whom Pace was rumored to be enamored with has turned into a disappointment.
This raises an obvious concern. Why should the Bears trust he can fix the issue?
Ryan Pace should consider reaching out for help
Here’s a wild idea. If the Bears and Pace aren’t entirely sure they can get this problem solved, why not just do what they did five years ago? Except instead of searching for a new GM, they hire a consultant with a background in either drafting or signing good quarterbacks. It isn’t so crazy. There are plenty of names out there who could be of help.
Ernie Accorsi
Remember him? This is the guy who helped the Bears hire Pace. Before that he was a longstanding GM himself in Baltimore, Cleveland, and New York. Accorsi had a reputation for building good rosters, but his calling card over time became his uncanny eye for quarterbacks. He drafted John Elway #1 overall in 1983 for Baltimore. Two years later he scooped up Bernie Kosar for Cleveland in the supplemental draft. Last but not least, he finagled a deal to secure Eli Manning in the 2004 draft. So yeah, the guy knows what the good ones look like.
Scot McCloughan
The former two-time GM has gotten a bit of a bad rap in the NFL due to alcohol issues, fair or not. However, nobody questions McCloughan’s eye for talent. Quarterback being among them. He drafted Alex Smith in 2005 for the San Francisco 49ers. Yes it was over Aaron Rodgers but it’s not like he was completely wrong about the pick. Then as an advisor in Seattle, he helped the Seahawks secure Russell Wilson in 2012. Three years later, he insisted the Redskins commit to Kirk Cousins as their starter. He has since become a Pro Bowler.
Jeff Fisher
Don’t laugh. Seriously, don’t laugh. Jeff Fisher may be the butt of several jokes these days for how average his long coaching tenure turned out to be. That said, if one examines his legacy they will find an ongoing knack for recognizing good quarterbacks. His Houston Oilers drafted Steve McNair in 1995. He went on to become an MVP. In 2006, he’d wanted to draft Jay Cutler but was overruled by ownership in favor of Vince Young. Then in St. Louis he demonstrated a consistent eye for underrated arms like Case Keenum, Nick Foles, and Jared Goff. Two of those guys reached the Super Bowl and the other an NFC championship.
Rick Smith
The former GM of the Houston Texans was run out of town this past offseason, which is a shame because he did such good work for them. One of the most overlooked parts of his success was the quarterbacks. He secured Matt Schaub in 2007 as a free agent. That turned into two Pro Bowl appearances. Then he left the team with one final parting gift, trading up to secure Deshaun Watson in the 2017 draft. A move that has paid dividends ever since. There is no reason to think he can’t be a valuable voice in Pace’s ear this offseason.