When the Green Bay Packers released offensive guard Josh Sitton, it sent minor shockwaves across the NFL.

How could a championship contender release a guard who is still ultra effective (two straight second-team All Pro selections) with their final cuts?

Green Bay’s loss is rival Chicago’s gain as the Bears came to terms with the former UCF standout on a three-year deal worth approximately $21.75 million.

Josh Sitton signing a 3-year, $21.75 million deal that includes $10M guaranteed with the Chicago Bears, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2016

Bears general manager Ryan Pace has now added a Pro Bowl guard to another Pro Bowl caliber offensive lineman in Kyle Long, who the team extended over the weekend.

Long seems pleased to have a player with Sitton’s talent next to him.

https://twitter.com/Ky1eLong/status/772780502193467392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Will the signing of Sitton away from the Packers be enough to catapult the Bears above Green Bay?  No, only the signing of Aaron Rodgers could do that, but they have narrowed the gap and the only man that can be blamed for it is Packers general manager Ted Thompson.

Thompson has the reputation of being one of the better GM’s in football, but despite having the best quarterback in the game, his team has won just one Super Bowl title and that was six years ago. The Packers abstain from free agency like Colin Kaepernick does during the national anthem, but eventually don’t you have to take the next step and get to another big game?