The Chicago Bears didn't have the offseason of the year based on the reaction of most experts. That isn't a surprise. GM Ryan Poles had six draft picks and little spending money when he took over. He knew he had to stretch his resources as far as he could. To end up with 11 total picks and not breaking the bank in the process is a win. It's unclear if his efforts improved the team, especially after losing core members like Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, James Daniels, and Akiem Hicks.
Pole isn't perturbed by that. It's not like the team was any good with those guys. Why continue paying them big money if they weren't going to help you win games? A logical stance, if nothing else. Yet it still leaves the team with several questions unanswered. Nowhere is more so than the offensive line. Three of the five starting spots aren't locked down yet, leaving Justin Fields' protection in a state of uncertainty. That is why experts continue to implore the Bears to add more veteran help. Field Yates of ESPN brought up one name that hasn't been discussed much.
"General manager Ryan Poles has padded his roster at both wide receiver and offensive line through free agency and the draft -- though each position remains a long-term need going forward. I'm focusing on the offensive line here, as there are still a handful of veteran names left on the free-agent board who still have starting potential in them (Duane Brown, Eric Fisher, Riley Reiff among those names). Justin Fields' rookie season was upended by poor line play, injury and an odd approach to the quarterback competition from the start. I'm confident a major leap is in store for 2022."
