It took a bit longer than some people would’ve liked, but Ryan Poles finally made a splash. After the opening of the new league year, the Chicago Bears GM struck with a calculated move, sending a 4th round pick to the cash-strapped Los Angeles Chargers for six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. Though 31 years old, he remains one of the best in the NFL after over 1200 yards in only 13 games last season. Pairing him with D.J. Moore in this offense is a perfect setup for a young quarterback to step into. It also clarifies what the Bears will likely do come the start of the NFL draft.
For the past few weeks, it was evident Poles would likely take a quarterback #1 overall. That hasn’t changed. The true uncertainty was what they’d do with the #9 pick. As free agency unfolded, many were certain it would be reserved for one of the top wide receivers on the board. With Allen in the mix, that is no longer the case. Examining the situation, it isn’t a stretch to think one of two things will happen once the Bears go on the clock again.
Either they will take the best pass rusher on their board or trade down to collect more picks.
Keenan Allen helped the Bears make their draft plans clear.
Their biggest difficulty to this point has been finding a pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. With Yannick Ngakoue gone, they don’t have anybody with starter capability to fill that void. After exploring a few names on the market, nothing materialized. With most of the big names picked clean, Poles will likely have to find his guy in the draft. There will be a few strong options at #9—Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Florida State’s Jared Verse headline the group. However, there is one notable concern.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Chicago only has four picks left in this draft.
That doesn’t seem like something Poles would accept. Trading down from #9 would likely net the Bears a couple of solid picks. Couple that with the eventual trade of Justin Fields, and they should be able to refill their coffers somewhat. It comes down to whether the Bears think they can still land a difference-maker later in the 1st round. Either way, wide receiver is less likely of a concern with Keenan Allen in the fold. Expect a pass rusher or a trade to happen once Chicago is back on the clock early in the 1st round.
Poochfest, aka just fields’ uncle, the correct sentence is that fields holds on to the ball longer than all but two QBs in the NFL according to the stats. Ur nephew is a bottom tiered QB in the NFL. By all stats except running. He was the 9th most hurried QB last year. And the best four QBs in the game were hurried 30% more than him – mahomes, love, Allen, and hurts. What are crediting for their successes? Quick decision making maybe? It’s not QB quality as love and mahomes has the worst duos in the NFL. Oh wait,… Read more »
Here’s food for thought. We already have the best backup/possible star at any or all of the following positions: TE, WR, RB, QB. His name is Justin Fields. I said backup to begin with, so please keep that in mind. Allen, Moore, Everett could be mentors to bring him along. He’s played a RB-style QB for 3 years already. No one has the open field speed this guy does in pads. Oh there are faster guys in the NFL, but none with is elusiveness and power to shake off tackles. If I were Poles, I’d sit down with Justin and… Read more »
Yes, honestly, he won’t. He’s the 29th best QB in the NFL. What u everJustins ate as kids to make u this dumb needs to be revealed and used against our enemies.
Can someone tell me honestly that J Fields would not be able to win 10-12 games with the added weapons Poles acquired in FA? Smoke on the water here regarding a trade….the fire is already burning and I seriously believe J Fields is the QB#1 for Poles in 24!
I keep reading how Jayden Daniels is dangerously thin and got to thinking. Sure, guys like Herbert 6’6” 236 and Josh Allen 6’5″ 237 were mountains just as Ben Roethlisberger was. Yet, here’s a guy who is 6’4” and 210. Gaining weight isn’t a problem for an early 20’s athlete. Some will argue that he’d lose a step or that he’d lose the advantage he has. Is anyone going to draft him to be a running QB? Each of the guys above have incredible chops from the pocket, strength and mobility. Proper training and diet and Daniels puts on the… Read more »