Fansided

3 strangest players to ever play in a Bears jersey

By Nick Villano

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Jared Allen (69) after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Jared Allen (69) after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bears tackle Orlando Pace (76): Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Orlando Pace

There are so many instances where players spend the very last season of their career with a different franchise, ruining the thought they could spend the entirety of their Hall of Fame career in one city. It happens in every sport. It’s always upsetting for the fanbase who has to see their fan favorite leave for another team. Sometimes that team is in a rebuilding phase, and other times they just want to get younger. Sometimes it’s both.

Orlando Pace might be one of the hardest to believe. Pace spent 12 years in St. Louis, most of which he was the best offensive lineman in the NFL. He anchored a line that lifted a Lombardi Trophy and fostered one of the best offenses in NFL history.

There is a theme here. Pace signed a three-year deal with the Bears worth $15 million. He walked away after one season. He eventually lost his starting spot to a rookie and the Bears cut Pace in the offseason. What is it about this franchise where millions of dollars are left on the table for Hall of Famers?

Pace played just 11 forgettable games for the Bears. In 158 games with the Rams, Pace had seven holding calls. He had two in just 11 games with the Bears. Nothing seemed to go right for Pace in Chicago, and he decided to hang up his cleats once the Bears decided to walk away.

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