Everybody loves to focus on the big names so much that they often don’t bother considering their team might not land all of them. That is why they’re so shocked when an unexpected player inks a contract with them. This will happen with the Chicago Bears in March. While they do have more cap space than anybody, it will be tough for them to land big names as a team clearly rebuilding. So GM Ryan Poles may have to get creative with retooling his roster. It may involve taking some calculated risks on lesser-known players.
One position he has to get figured out is right tackle. Larry Borom and Riley Reiff couldn’t cut it this season. It is a safe bet Poles will try to find help there. Jawaan Taylor, Kaleb McGary, and Mike McGlinchey are the big names expected to hog the attention if they reach the market. However, one that might find his way to Chicago is Andrew Wylie. The 28-year-old bounced around as an undrafted rookie in 2017 before landing in Kansas City. There he found his way into the starting lineup as a guard in 2018. He’d remain there until 2021, when they moved him outside to right tackle.
He started every game this year, helping Patrick Mahomes throw for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns while only getting sacked 26 times. Some believe Wylie is highly underrated as a blocker.
Ryan Poles knows what Wylie brings.
He was part of the front office that signed the tackle in 2017. Nobody is saying the guy is a star. However, he is an experienced, reliable blocker with good versatility and fits the Bears’ offensive style. He doesn’t have to be the future of the position, merely a steadying presence. Wylie can help bridge the gap to a more long-term solution. Most important is the cost. He won’t command any big contract with heavy guarantees. Chicago could likely secure him on a modest two or three-year deal.
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This would give them some insurance in case Ryan Poles can’t find anybody worth taking early in the draft. It’s all about creating flexibility to get the best players possible. Wylie is a decent player. He’s not too old, has physical traits the Bears can work with, and won’t cost much to acquire. Poles said he wants to spend smart. This would be an example of that. A cost-effective move that improves your team while still allowing you to build primarily through the draft.
Wes —
Do you think Ryan Poles can improve on his lousy past selections of: Lucas Patrick, Dakota Dozier, and Alex Leatherwood (and his yet-to-be-determined, draft choices, Doug Kramer and Ja’Tyre Carter)?
I sure hope so.
Reiff’s career is nearly over and Borom has really not done an adequate job so Wylie might just be the right answer for now. With so many holes to fill and knowing he won’t require a huge salary he could be a good fit.
I’m in the “patience” stage still. I want Borom to succeed and that can happen next year depending on his dedication to improvement. Maybe he needs moved inside to G and see how he does?
If “Larry Borom and Riley Reiff couldn’t cut it” collectively, this season — it’s only because Reiff is 34 years old, and Poles paid him $7.5 million.
Borom was a great “value” — with..a cap hit of $908,270, in 2022. And the 24 year-old tackle improved his PFF overall grade from 61.4 to 64.7 (as well as pass blocking from 62.7 to 69.9; and run blocking from 59.5 to 62.1) — in just his second year in the NFL.
Do some research, asswipe.
I hope Ryan Poles is watching Orlando Brown, the Chiefs’ “clown” LT, today, vs. the Bengals.
Any team that considers paying Brown as much money as Trent Williams has no clue when it comes to evaluating OL talent/value. Unfortunately, that, pretty much, describes Ryan Poles.