The start of NFL free agency is always wild. Teams need to strike early for the top free agents so they can fit the second and third wave of players around the massive deals they struck early.
The Bears have only ever really gotten in on the “first wave” in one season under Pace and that was last year when they inked Allen Robinson and Trey Burton early in the free agent process.
This year’s first wave is seeing massive deals. Kwon Alexander received 4 years and $54 million from the San Francisco 49ers. Trey Flowers was inked by the Detroit Lions for roughly a 5-year deal up around $80 or $85 million.