Ryan Poles knew what he had to do from the moment he assumed the GM chair for the Chicago Bears. If he wanted to get this team point in the right direction, he’d have to build it from the inside out. That meant beefing up both the offensive and defensive lines. Especially the former. Bears quarterbacks were sacked 58 times last season. Unacceptable. So Poles began the overhaul with the addition of Green Bay Packers center Lucas Patrick, a nasty and athletic blocker who had a strong 2021. Now it appears the team is moving towards their next target. An unheralded young man named Ryan Bates.
An undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2019, he spent that summer with the Philadelphia Eagles before finding a more permanent home with the Buffalo Bills. After two years as a backup, Bates got his first opportunity to start last season. What makes it so unique is he did so at no less than two different positions in center and left guard. He also logged snaps at left tackle and right guard for good measure.
That speaks to his impressive versatility.
Finally, in Week 16, he became the permanent starter at left guard. Over the next six games, including the playoffs, Bates allowed just four pressures on the quarterback. No sacks. He did this against some pretty good interior defensive linemen too, like Grady Jarrett, Quinnen Williams, Christian Barmore, and Chris Jones. It didn’t matter. The 25-year old was stout and wasn’t afraid to give back a little extra.
Ryan Bates hive! pic.twitter.com/OLsg1sbytj
— Cover 1 (@Cover1) January 4, 2021
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I know this is a Josh Allen Highlight clip….
But please lock your eyes on #71 Ryan Bates… Give me MORE OF THAT please and thank you!!#Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/zqLy7lUmiI
— 🎙️Rico🎙️ (@MrRico_BF) December 28, 2021
I see you Ryan Bates. Beats Tonga to the playside then works his hips in position. Love this downhill run. pic.twitter.com/aCHswaL2H4
— Cover 1 (@Cover1) August 22, 2021
Under normal circumstances, the Bills would be wise to retain Bates. However, the team finds itself in a considerable salary cap crunch. They couldn’t place a higher tender on Bates’ restricted free agent status. So the young lineman has begun meeting with teams that wish to sign him as a potential starter. He’s already met with the Minnesota Vikings. The New England Patriots are next, and then the Bears.
Ryan Bates fits the mold of what the new Bears regime wants
There is also a reason to believe the team has favorable odds to land him. Remember that Poles is a former offensive lineman himself. He understands how to speak their language. It shouldn’t be difficult to connect. Then there is the added presence of Ian Cunningham. The Bears assistant GM is also a former offensive lineman. Yet he brings the added bonus of being somebody that helped get the blocker to the NFL in the first place.
Cunningham was a member of that Eagles front office in 2019 that signed him.
He more than anybody knows what Ryan Bates can bring to the Bears. With some sweet talking, a solid offer, and a little luck, the Bears could land another starting interior offensive lineman for cheap. That would allow them to focus more on the tackle position in the upcoming draft. Not to mention the wide receiving corps. If Bates and Patrick play at the levels they did last year, Chicago would be in good shape. Justin Fields would certainly be a happy man too.
