Post by JABF on Feb 27, 2020 8:43:58 GMT -6
I've been thinking about this for days now. I know us fans (me anyway) are wanting Pace/Nagy to have a big turnaround this season and win. But Pace needs to look at the roster talent in terms beyond 2020. I know that in some threads and posts it has been discussed that Pace could sell out to win this year at all costs and potentially hurt the team longer term (giving up draft picks etc).
I really don't believe he will do this (bet the farm and everything on winning in 2020). I believe Pace is going to survive 2020 no matter what happens - unless some crazy thing happens like a 3 or 4 win season... and that's just not going to happen. In fact, more than likely, Pace AND Nagy are back in 2021.
With that in mind, Pace has to have the vision to invest in 2020 draftees who can deliver in 2021 and beyond. Here's what I'm getting at. We have been talking about getting immediate contributors in this draft. Sure, that's always the hope and more of these hits are better. But the challenge for Pace, I think, is to not let this mindset result in closing the door on players who may need a year to hit a ceiling that is higher than a 2020 guy. Pace has to think beyond 2020 here. If he were to sell out 100% for 2020 I think that would result in him still being here in 2021 with (potentially) a roster that is not as talented as it would have been if he had a longer-term view.
And I "get it" that we talk about how players now on their rookie contract need to produce as much as possible before their 2nd contract - and it's important to get guys who don't need a lot of development time to be NFL ready. But I do think there is a happy medium here and some great players do require a bit of development time, and not be studs in 2020. Pace has the challenge of keeping an open mind here and looking beyond 2020. Nagy too for that matter.
