Free agency and the draft are the two primary ways teams improve their roster from year to year. However, the true artists of the league often do their best work in the trade market. One of the reasons Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman is so highly regarded is thanks to his ability to find and work several deals that net the team either a really good player or a healthy return of draft capital. It is a big reason why the Eagles manage to contend almost every year. As it turns out, the Chicago Bears may have found another such type in Ryan Poles.
Part of being successful in the trade market is understanding one core philosophy. If you want a trade to favor your team, it starts with finding partners who are weak and/or vulnerable for one reason or another. It could be for any number of reasons. Maybe they’re strapped for cash. Maybe they have an overbearing owner, limited draft capital, or a player who isn’t happy in his current situation.
2023: Trade the #1 pick to the Carolina Panthers
- Panthers owner David Tepper had a reputation for being heavily involved in football decisions
- Tepper desperately wanted a QB. That meant he could be tempted
- The Bears got the #9 pick, a 2nd in 2023, 1st in 2024, 2nd in 2025, and WR D.J. Moore
2023: Trade a 2nd round pick to Washington for EDGE Montez Sweat
- The organization was undergoing changes in ownership
- Owners tend to want a fresh start. That leads to good players getting sold off.
- Gave up the 40th pick for a Pro Bowl pass rusher who is 27 years old
2024: Trade a 4th round pick to Los Angeles for WR Keenan Allen
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- The Chargers were in salary cap misery
- L.A. also had a new head coach and GM who wanted a youth movement
- Bears had two 4th rounders. It was an easy decision
Those reports about Ryan Poles being smart weren’t lying.
He seems to have a natural feel for this stuff. He understands where the vulnerable teams will be each off-season and finds a way to exploit them to his benefit. Think about it. He netted Sweat and Allen for 2nd and 4th round picks. In any normal situation, those players would’ve cost significantly more. Poles chose his timing perfectly, calling both teams right when they were in the middle of power transitions. Now he heads into the draft already with a roster looking ready for a playoff push and still has two top 10 picks at his disposal.
Ryan Poles isn’t perfect. He’s made his share of mistakes. Everybody points out the Chase Claypool fiasco. However, the mark of any good GM is being able to learn from his missteps. In the two trades since that blunder, he’s made sure to target players far more proven and reliable. Sweat already worked out. Allen should as well if he stays healthy. Poles has made the Bears a better football team with remarkable speed. It wouldn’t be shocking if he’s not done making deals yet.
Wait a minute. A high 2nd for Claypool who was a high 2nd pick This after he proved to not be worth that pick is not an excusable thing. Personal issues aside, Steelers don’t give up on their good players and Poles gave them a complete redo on that Claypool pick.
@AlexW., I tend to agree with you, as time will tell on this one. @PoochPest, I agree with some of what you said there but in all of those trade scenario’s, I feel Poles would be the “sucker”. That’s not nearly enough for a so called “Generational” prospect. @al bundy, the Claypool trade was a good one on face value. Claypool had shown very good numbers but was replaced as a starter by another high draft pick receiver. The character issues were unknown because the Steelers are another organization that keeps their business to themselves. On top of that, no… Read more »
Ryan Poles is quickly establishing this roster as a definite contender for the division and beyond, S Waldron and M Eberflus have to be smiling as R Poles continues his fleecing of the NFL. Imagine the success Waldron envisions with an offense that rosters, DJ Moore, K Allen, D Swift, C Kmet, G Everett, K Herbert, J Fields….anyone who thinks R Poles is not doing his job is a fool. Anyone who believes for one minute that this roster compilation is specifically designed for C Williams does not understand football! Even T Bagent could pull off 10 wins with this… Read more »
Wow, unbelievable. We can’t give Fields away but Chicago fans still want him for our starting QB. Hahaha. Poles might trade Caleb Williams to move down a spot to gain draft picks, but (fortunately) there is no way Fields will be starting for us next season.
Poles is waiting, to let CW fever rise. Once they see his pro day, medicals, and up close talent, the saliva will start flowing to “MUST HAVE” status for max trade value.
Poles will multiply his draft capital to complete his build this year, while attaining future draft picks from the trade down of #1 pick, rinse, lather, repeat!
WR/Edge/OL
Fields stays QB1….IMO