The Chicago Bears have now won two games in a row and three of their last four. After starting the year 2-7, they sit at 5-8 with four games to play. Things seem to be coming together at the right time. The defense has morphed into one of the NFL’s best, smothering opposing running backs and taking the ball away with incredible frequency. On the other side, Justin Fields has found much more consistency of late compared to September. D.J. Moore is playing like a Pro Bowler, and the offensive line continues to lead a steady and dependable ground attack. GM Ryan Poles deserves a lot of credit for bringing this roster together so fast.
While not a contender yet, this is starting to look like a team that is maybe one off-season away from getting serious in 2024. The obvious question is what Poles plans to do in March and April. Most conversations center around the quarterback issue. Trade Justin Fields and take Caleb Williams? Keep Fields and trade the #1 pick? Nobody can agree on what will happen. However, former scouting director Greg Gabriel is sure of one thing. One of the two 1st rounders Poles ends up using will be for a dynamic pass rusher.
He explained why on Windy City Gridiron.
“You can bet that more additions will be made to the defense during the upcoming off-season. While Ryan Poles has addressed defensive end in free agency and trades, he still hasn’t drafted an edge in a premium round. Both for development and cap purposes, that will be done in the April Draft. Ngakoue is out of contract at about $10M per year. Do the Bears want to spend to keep him or Draft a young, dynamic pass rusher who has the traits to become an excellent NFL player?
What I can’t see happening is the Bears going out and spending top dollar on another veteran free agent Edge. With the contract that Sweat received after the Bears traded for him, it doesn’t make much sense. The smart way to do it is through the Draft.”
Ryan Poles’ philosophy fits with this prediction.
Remember, he is a guy big on premium positions. Pass rusher is arguably the second-most important position on a football field behind quarterbacks. He has to be thinking about getting the chance to add a potential top-10 pick across from Montez Sweat. This is especially true given the likely options he’ll have. Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Dallas Turner (Alabama), Chop Robinson (Penn State), and Jared Verse (Florida State) are all considered top-of-the-draft talents at the position. That doesn’t include Jer’Zhan Newton from Illinois, probably the best interior pass rusher in the class.
There is no question Ryan Poles will have tons of options. He will likely reserve the #1 pick for either a QB, Marvin Harrison Jr., or as bait to trade with another team. Whatever the case, it feels like the Bears will have another high-end pass rusher in the mix when the dust settles. That could take their defense from good to elite status. Remember that this unit has no homegrown 1st round pick on its depth chart. Poles no doubt would love to change that come spring.
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