GM Ryan Poles wasn’t content waiting around this time. The Chicago Bears GM had a mission when the legal tampering period started on Monday. In only a matter of hours, he managed to achieve multiple goals. It started with Drew Dalman, the market’s best center, arriving on a three-year deal. Then, in quick succession, the Bears secured defensive end Dayo Odenyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to give their defensive line a much-needed jolt. Just like that, the Bears addressed all of their key needs.
Suddenly, discussions have picked up about what they will do with the 10th overall pick in next month’s draft. Everybody was convinced it would be a pass rusher or an offensive guard barely a week ago. Now? The discussion has shifted to names like running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Tyler Warren. While fun ideas, Courtney Cronin of ESPN doesn’t believe that is the direction the Bears are leaning. She told Waddle & Silvy that the position to watch is probably left tackle.
The buzz around this idea for the Chicago Bears is picking up steam.
Cronin isn’t the first to mention it. Team color analyst Tom Thayer mentioned the possibility during an interview with FOX 32 Chicago. That was quickly followed up by insider Matt Lombardo, who hinted at the same thing. Now, it comes up again here. Everything seems to point in the direction of the Bears looking to bring their offensive line overhaul to a crescendo by drafting their future at left tackle. Keep in mind that Poles mentioned last month that one of his goals was to find competition for Braxton Jones.
The former 5th round pick broke his leg last season. Before that, his play appeared to have plateaued. While nobody can say he’s a bad tackle, he doesn’t qualify as one you want to protect your QB long-term. Complicating matters even further is the market. Dan Moore Jr., an average left tackle from Pittsburgh, just inked a deal with Tennessee for $21 million per year. Unless the Chicago Bears make a move to find their left tackle now, they could be looking at paying Jones something similar next year.
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