Lost in the hysteria of the Jay Cutler trade Thursday was the Bears’ acquisition of another player with Pro Bowl credentials.
Veteran left tackle Orlando Pace, released by the Rams last month after 12 seasons in St. Louis, agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Bears. He will be paid $6.1 million for the 2009 season, according to a league source.
Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is expected to start at left tackle next season and allow Chris Williams, last year’s first-round pick, to shift to right tackle.
“Orlando looks at this as a tremendous opportunity, to continue his career with such a historic franchise,” agent Kennard McGuire said. “He just feels like this is the perfect situation for him.”
Pace, 33, had a history with Bears coach Lovie Smith dating back to Smith’s days as the Rams’ defensive coordinator. Although Pace encountered some injury woes during the last few years, the Bears figured the future Hall of Famer could help keep Cutler off the ground.
“We really feel that it gives us a very good offensive line now,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “We’ve had some real good success with veteran players.
“He expressed to us on his visit that he wants to play and continue to play. And he feels his health is probably as good as it has been in a while.”
Adding Pace, tackle Kevin Shaffer, and guard/tackle Frank Omiyale is likely to alter the draft plans for a team once starving for offensive line help. The Bears surrendered their first-round pick (No. 18 overall) to Denver in the Cutler deal.
Wide receiver is now the top priority, and the Bears could land a solid prospect in the second round (49th overall). Players such as Penn State’s Derrick Williams, Ohio State’s Brian Robiske, Georgia’s Mohamed Massaquoi and Florida’s Louis Murphy could be available. Kenny Britt from Rutgers, who had a private workout with the Bears, could fall into the second round too.
A few veteran receivers remain on the open market, including ex-Ram Torry Holt. It would not be a shock if the Bears get involved, considering McGuire also represents Holt.
The Bears also gave up a third-round pick to Denver but have a compensatory third-round selection for losing wide receiver Bernard Berrian last season. They could use the pick on an offensive tackle, defensive end or, perhaps, cornerback.
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vxmcclure@tribune.com
