Bears Bringing Back Longest-Tenured Player Sherrick McManis Was the Right Move by Ryan Pace
The Chicago Bears made some notable additions this offseason by trading for Nick Foles and signing Robert Quinn in free agency. There are some less notable moves out there that can still make a significant impact on Sundays, however, and Chicago's latest one should not go unnoticed.
On Thursday, Bears general manager Ryan Pace made the decision to re-sign Sherrick McManis to a one-year deal. The veteran defensive back and special teams star has been with the team since 2012, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster. In so many ways, re-upping with him was an easy call of the feel-good variety.
Sherrick McManis, the special teams stalwart from Northwestern, has been with the Bears for the last eight years, playing 108 games, the longest stint on the team. https://t.co/bcy5WbVdBQ
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) April 16, 2020
McManis' snap count was 177 on special teams compared to just 26 on defense in nine games last season. He stands out as a veteran leader on the special teams unit, which depends on precision and continuity. The sheer consistency of his presence and the knowledge he brings with him every week are not to be underestimated.
Sherrick McManis arrived to the Bears in the last season for Lovie Smith, played those two disastrous years with Marc Trestman, withstood the 14-34 under John Fox, and is now entering year three with Matt Nagy.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 16, 2020
A consummate professional who has seen some things at Halas Hall.
Keeping the longest-serving Bear on the roster means one more leader is sticking around the locker room. Letting him go to save a tiny portion of money could have done damage both on and off the field at a time when Pace's job security is far from guaranteed.