Ryan Poles said one of his primary goals was to fix the Chicago Bears’ ongoing offensive line issues. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the resources necessary to do that in 2022. He had limited salary cap space and no 1st round pick. So he tried to make do with some veteran additions, and four draft picks between the 5th and 7th rounds. It hasn’t done much to solve the issue. Justin Fields has been sacked 23 times in six games. That isn’t counting the extra hits.
This can’t continue for another year. Poles knows that. The good news is he’s been in this situation before. In 2020, when he was a director of player personnel with the Kansas City Chiefs, offensive line woes cost them a chance at winning a second Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes was relentlessly harassed. So the organization set about to fix the problem and was aggressive from the outset.
- Signed free agent guard Joe Thuney to a five-year, $80 million contract.
- Traded four picks, including a 1st, to Ravens for tackle Orlando Brown.
- Drafted center Creed Humphrey (2nd) and guard Trey Smith (6th).
The improvement was almost instantaneous. After allowing 28 sacks in 2021, the unit has allowed only eight through five games this year. That is the kind of approach one can expect from Poles.
Ryan Poles has the resources to pull it off now.
He has a 1st round pick. Based on the Bears’ current trajectory, it will be a high one. Better still, he also has over $100 million in projected salary cap space. That gives him more than enough flexibility to come out firing. No shortage of capable offensive linemen will be free agents next spring, including Brown. They could then grab another body high in the draft, adding at least two high-caliber starters in one go. Maybe more with a bit of luck.
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Yes, the Bears need wide receiver help too. That is undeniable. However, the top priority for Ryan Poles must be his quarterback’s health. Fields has proven he can find even average receivers for solid gains when he has time to throw. Fixing everything wrong with this team was always going to take time. If the Bears feel this quarterback is who they need to win, then fortifying his offensive line is the obvious play. Now the GM has the currency to make it happen.
