Bears GM Ryan Pace struck gold with his signing of Jerrell Freeman last offseason.
Freeman, who signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Bears last March, was graded as the NFL's No. 1 inside linebacker in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.
Freeman's 93.8 overall grade was PFF's third-highest defensive grade behind Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald (95.6) and Oakland Raiders standout edge rusher Khalil Mack (93.9).
Here's what PFF's Mike Renner had to say about Freeman's historic 2016 season:
One of the most impressive pure statistics any player amassed this season came from Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman.