That's a luxury to enjoy after winning the NFC North crown with a 12-4 mark and positioning a roster for contention in the coming years. That freedom was showcased in the fourth round, when the Bears chose Georgia receiver Riley Ridley even though they had quality depth at the position.
"It's a great example of us taking the beast player on our board," Pace said. "There's a lot of traits we like about this player. Obviously his size, his hands, his catching radius, his ability to win contested battles, his route running, and just increasing competition at the position. But truly, by far the best player on our board and very excited to select him."
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The Bears hosted the 22-year-old Ridley on a top-30 visit at Halas Hall, and it was there where it became apparent to Ridley that he could land in Chicago. But Ridley's availability to the Bears late in the fourth round surprised even Pace.
Ridley's older brother, Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley, spoke highly of the Bears from his own pre-draft experience. So when the younger Ridley fell to the fourth round, he was just happy it meant going to Chicago.
"(Calvin) said you’re in the best organization that there could be," Ridley said. "He really believes that I can have a chance to go in and work my tail off and be able to be in the starting lineup or even a type of role on the team, and for me that’s what it’s all about, going in and just busting my tail and working as hard as I can for the organization."
Ridley had 43 receptions for 559 yards and nine touchdowns at Georgia last season. The Bears have now selected the Bulldogs' leading receiver in consecutive drafts, having chosen Javon Wims in the seventh round in 2018. Pace and his brass have an understanding of how Georgia spreads the football in its offense and have been willing to look past the statistics.
Ridley impressed the Bears with his clean route running, which resembles that of his brother. What also stood out was how the 6-foot-1 Ridley fights for passes with cornerbacks.
"When he was in here, one of his quotes was, 'I'm not a 50-50 guy, I win all of them,'" Pace said. "So, that's kind of his mindset. When the ball is in the air, he's going to win it."
The Bears have a crowded depth chart at receiver, with three established targets in Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller. Now, Ridley will be competing against a number of players, including Wims.
Pace is just happy to have added a talent like Ridley.
"To have a player of that caliber there and comfortably be able to take him was really a no-brainer," Pace said. "Because he was so high on our board."