Chicago Bears Crack Top 5 Of Most Improved NFL Teams

GM Ryan Poles never wanted to lean on free agency to build the Chicago Bears. It had to be through the draft. Unfortunately, most general managers don't have the luxury of time. The pressure to win immediately is higher than ever these days. After three consecutive losing seasons, Poles couldn't afford to hang back this time. He had the necessary resources to be aggressive. It was time to use them. Over a span of less than a week, the Bears made a flurry of moves to overhaul several positions on their roster.

Most of it centered around the line of scrimmage with two new guards, a new center, a defensive end, and a defensive tackle. Three of them were former Pro Bowlers, and the other two were young, ascending talents. While the Bears don't have much credibility these days for obvious reasons, it's hard not to feel like they got better this past month. Sports Illustrated seems to agree. They ranked the five most improved teams so far this offseason.

Chicago cracked the list at #4.

4. Chicago Bears

Notable additions: C Drew Dalman (three years, $42 million), OG Jonah Jackson (traded from the Rams), DL Grady Jarrett (three years, $43.5 million), edge Dayo Odeyingbo (three years, $48 million), OG Joe Thuney (traded from the Chiefs)

On paper, the Bears drastically improved their offensive line by signing Dalman, the best available free-agent center, and trading for possibly the best guard in the game after landing Thuney from Kansas City. Chicago also took a chance on Jackson, who is reunited with coach Ben Johnson after being benched by the Los Angeles Rams months after being a prize free agent...

...Odeyingbo, who had 16.5 sacks in four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, could be a solid No. 2 edge rusher next to Montez Sweat. But the Bears might regret adding an aging player in Jarrett, who might be better suited as a backup than a starter making $16 million this year.

The Chicago Bears are a good draft away from something big.

People believe this is one of the worst teams in the NFL based on their 5-12 record from last season. That is understandable. You are what your record says you are. That said, it is important not to forget that they were a Hail Mary, a blocked field goal, an overtime, and a botched timeout away from possibly being 9-8. All four of those losses came against eventual playoff teams. New head coach Ben Johnson called the Chicago Bears a sleeping giant. That wasn't just lip service. He believes that, and he has good reasons to. That team is significantly improved from where it was when the season ended. If they can put together a good draft in April, not even the loaded NFC North may be able to stop them from breaking through.