4) 2015 free agent class
Key hits – LB Sam Acho, CB Tracy Porter
Key misses – LB Pernell McPhee, S Antrel Rolle, WR Eddie Royal, DE Ray McDonald
The Pace regime began with a bit of a thud with his 2015 free agency class. Headlined by linebacker Pernell McPhee, the Bears were determined to turn around their defense which was historically bad the season prior. Admittedly, lumping McPhee into the “misses” category is a bit unfair because his first season was a success, but considering his five-year contract was worth nearly $39 million with $15 million guaranteed and his injury issues that plagued him for the next two years, the move was ultimately a failure.
Pace also tried to shore up the back end of the defense with safety Antrel Rolle, cornerback Tracy Porter and cornerback Alan Ball. Rolle and Ball quickly faded, but Porter had a brief career resurgence, his best game coming on Thanksgiving 2015 when the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers.
On offense, receiver Eddie Royal was brought in to serve as the team’s third receiver behind Alshon Jeffery and rookie Kevin White. Royal only played in 18 games in two seasons due to injuries and had paltry numbers when healthy.
Pace also dug himself into an early hole when the team signed defensive end Ray McDonald, who was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in 2014. McDonald joined the Bears, but was then arrested for domestic violence again just two months later and was released. The general manager and front office received much criticism for the decision to sign McDonald.
Overall, the 2015 class wasn’t a complete disaster like the 2017 group, but there were plenty of warts that gave fans pause about Pace’s ability to lead the franchise.
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