The Bears went from worst to first in the NFC North in 2018, finishing 12-4 and reaching the playoffs thanks to a young roster built over Pace's four seasons leading the front office. Now, they enter this offseason with just those few needs and the hopes of building from last season.
What's ahead this week as the Bears enter free agency?
It was interesting to hear from Pace at the NFL Combine two weeks ago that it won't necessarily be an either-or decision between safety Adrian Amos and nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan, who are both slated to hit the open market this week.
Pace was speaking with confidence on the Bears' ability to create an enticing offer for both in conjunction with some careful cap maneuvering. The Bears restructured the contract of three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long and will reportedly do the same with nose tackle Eddie Goldman. They have also created cap room by releasing tight end Dion Sims and linebacker Sam Acho.
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Will the Bears be able to retain both Amos and Callahan? It will be difficult.
Amos is projected by Spotrac as holding a market value of six years and $48.5 million, while Callahan's price was set at four years and $25.5 million. If the Bears are forced into an either-or decision, their choice may be influenced by the market. While Amos is expected to be a commodity, there are other options available at safety. Meanwhile, Callahan is by far the best player available on a scarce nickelback cornerback market.
Should Pace get his way, the Bears will return two starters from the league's top-ranked scoring defense in 2018. But the Bears will be battling the cap number for many years to come, a challenge that was expected.
The Bears first signaled their desire to find a better fit at running back by admitting their interest in Kareem Hunt, who eventually signed with the Browns. Then came another clear sign of that desire when they were listening to offers on running back Jordan Howard at the NFL Combine, per reports.
An opportunity to make that trade is here. The NFL's legal tampering period opened Wednesday at 11 a.m., giving teams two days to negotiate contract before deals can officially be signed. Le'Veon Bell is the most high-profile running back hitting the open market.
Given that Howard is coming off a relatively disappointing 2018 season -- he rushed for 933 yards and averaged 3.7 yards per carry -- and is entering a contract year, a fourth-round pick would be an ideal return for the Bears, but there's doubt to how realistic that possibility is, given they hold little leverage at a bargaining table. The Bears could benefit by moving Howard, picking up a sixth draft pick and hoping to find a better back for coach Matt Nagy's offense.
If the Bears aren't fully committed to trading Howard, they could retain him for 2019 and draft his potential replacement in April, giving them time to develop a young running back.
When pressed during an interview two weeks ago, Pace declined to address the mistake that has haunted his tenure as general manager -- releasing kicker Robbie Gould, the Bears' all-time leading scorer, in September 2016.
The Bears have used four kickers in regular-season games since releasing Gould. Meanwhile, Gould has missed just three field goals since. Now here Pace and the Bears are once again in the market for a kicker who can be an answer to their desperate need.
Kicker Cody Parkey will officially be released by the Bears on Wednesday, paid $3.5 million more guaranteed out the door to no longer work for the team. That move will come after his disappointing first and only season in Chicago ended with a missed 43-yard field-goal attempt that would've given the Bears the lead in the waning seconds of a 16-15 loss to the Eagles in the wild-card round.
Gould isn't available as an unrestricted free agent after the 49ers tendered the franchise tag. Meanwhile, the Bears have added two kickers to create competition by signing Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt. Will they sign an established veteran on the open market this week?
The most intriguing possibility is Stephen Gostkowski, the longtime kicker for the Patriots and an impending free agent. Gostkowski would solidify the Bears' great need at kicker during a window in which they should be a perennial contender. Gostkowski has converted 87.4 percent of his field-goal attempts during his 13-year NFL career.
But the question is whether the Bears can afford him -- and if signing a veteran kicker is a better option to taking a cheaper, younger alternative in the draft.
The first season of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky working with a new coaching staff, system and playmakers brought encouraging results while leaving more to be desired. So, how do the Bears ensure continued growth in 2019?
The Bears signed receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel and tight end Trey Burton in free agency last year. While all of their offensive starters remain under contract for 2019, it remains possible to add in free agency.
The tight end position could be addressed by the Bears this week, depending on how the team's cap situation plays out first with the defensive priorities. The Bears have agreed to re-sign Ben Braunecker on a two-year contract and could complete their tight end room with a veteran target to better complement Burton.
At receiver, Josh Bellamy should be retained while Kevin White will almost certainly walk. Beyond that, it remains possible that the Bears could add a sure-handed target at receiver.
Pace knows well the difficulties of building a strong roster from one through 53. It takes great work in free agency and the draft to ensure the kind of depth a championship contender needs.
Now comes the next challenge, which is maintaining and fortifying that depth. With the kind of success the Bears have enjoyed, there will be interest in many of their key reserves. The careful cap maneuvering of the Bears front office isn't only for the front-line free agents like Amos or Callahan but also assuring strength on the bottom of the roster.
The Bears have a number of impending free agents from their own roster (see the list above). Pace and his front office now must ensure that depth remains strong.