Bears Drop Pace

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 2, 2010 3:40PM

After one disappointing season, the Bears released offensive tackle Orlando Pace on Monday. The future Hall of Famer was signed as a free agent last off-season to a fill a gap on the left created by the retirement of John Tait. The 13-year veteran started 11 games for the Bears, but ended the season on the bench. And while the Bears didn't expect Pace to perform to the level that'll help enshrine him in Canton, they were expecting more when they signed him to a 3-year, $15 million deal last April. Even the Bears hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was Pace's offensive coordinator and head coach with the St. Louis Rams, wasn't enough to save his job. The Bears would prefer to use his cap space to chase other free agents. Teams can begin signing free agents on Thursday. Meanwhile, Pace is apparently mulling retirement.