The first hurdle has been cleared. GM Ryan Poles traded the #1 overall pick for a large package, including three high extra selections and wide receiver D.J. Moore. That move leads perfectly to the next step of his plan. He can narrow his focus going into free agency, targeting key positions he feels needs immediate help. The legal tampering period begins on March 13th at 11:00 CST. However, anybody with common sense knows teams have already been speaking with players and agents about possible deals. The Chicago Bears are no exception.
Rumblings have already begun. Unsurprisingly, most insiders hear the team will be active on the defensive tackle market. This team needs interior pass rush in the worst way. However, that might take some time. By contrast, it sounds like Poles may already have a pair of deals lined up. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, who was on top of the Panthers trade before most were, is hearing the team will likely sign veteran right tackle Mike McGlinchey. That confirms the whispers Dan Bernstein of 670 The Score mentioned a couple of days ago.
McGlinchey is an obvious target. His sheer size, length, power, and nastiness are a great fit for the Bears’ run game. He also has extensive experience in a wide-zone offense, which they employ. It would be a seamless transition for him. That isn’t the end of it. Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron also hinted at the Panthers trade shortly before it happened. He dropped another name that appears likely to sign with Chicago when the news starts breaking.
Ryan Poles is sticking to his original script.
One thing that stood out with his first foray into free agency was he targeted players that were system fits, even if they weren’t the biggest names. McGlinchey isn’t the top-rated right tackle in free agency for many, but his fit in the Bears’ system makes him the safest choice. The same goes for Bobby Okereke. Matt Eberflus developed him for several years in Indianapolis. The young linebacker has a deep familiarity with the Bears’ defensive scheme. He can step right in and start without any learning curve.
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The obvious question people have is whether these guys make the Bears better. Yes, they do. The primary gripe on McGlinchey is his pass protection. It’s not bad, but it isn’t good either. There are games where he is rock solid and then games where he misses several blocks. Still, people overlook how well he performed last season. He suffered a torn quadriceps in November of 2021. That is a brutal injury for linemen. He still returned to start the year. There were struggles early, but he began playing much better around midseason. McGlinchey is healthy now.
As for Okereke, he is a versatile linebacker that can play inside or outside. He’s a reliable tackler, solid in coverage, and he gets his hands on the football a lot. He isn’t Lance Briggs, but the guy makes that front seven better. That is Ryan Poles’ ultimate goal.
