Something strange is going on with the Chicago Bears. Out of every NFL team, they currently have the fewest players under contract at 56. That means they still have 34 spots left to fill ahead of training camp in July. Yet it’s been over half a week since GM Ryan Poles made any signings in free agency. People are starting to wonder if the man has gone insane. He can’t possibly think this team is anywhere close to improved with so many holes left to fill.
At the same time, this outrage might be overlooking another possibility in play. Remember what Poles said back in January. The words were simple and straightforward. “We’re going to build through the draft.” Everything he’s said regarding his plans has come true thus far. There is no reason to think that statement is any less so. Now many people will argue with the obvious counter. The Bears can’t possibly build through the draft with only six picks.
This is true. For now, anyway.
It is time to wonder whether the Bears GM might be planning some serious activity a month from now when the 2022 draft occurs. Thanks to the trading of Khalil Mack, the team gained much more flexibility with the addition of another 2nd round pick. The 48th overall. Now they have two picks in the top half of the 2nd round, giving them good real estate to start working the phones with other teams about possible moves down. That is likely how Poles plans to start enlarging his inventory.
He has reasons to believe he can pull it off too. Look at what the Kansas City Chiefs managed with two moves back in 2016.
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- Traded 2016 1st round pick (28th overall, Joshua Garnett) to 49ers for 2016 2nd round pick (37th overall, Chris Jones), 2016 4th round pick (105th overall, Parker Ehinger) and 2016 6th round pick (178th overall, D.J. White)
- Traded 2016 2nd round pick (59th overall, Roberto Aguayo) to Buccaneers for 2016 3rd round pick (74th overall, KeiVarae Russell) and 2016 4th round pick (106th overall, Eric Murray)
Through those moves, they managed to land one of the best defensive players in the NFL in Jones and also what turned out to be a solid safety in Murray. The Chiefs only had five picks to start with in that draft. Those trades helped increase the total to nine. That could be what Ryan Poles is aiming to do. Stack the draft choices to start building a foundation of young, cheap talent. Then add to it by being aggressive in undrafted free agency.
He intends to trust his scouts to find the right talent and his coaches to develop that talent. He will start sprinkling veterans on top only after the foundation is in place. It could be a fun time for Bears fans next month if this current trend of silence holds.
