Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles didn't do anything crazy during the 2022 off-season. He unloaded some pricey veterans, worked to stockpile more draft picks and didn't hand out any big contracts in free agency. He made it clear from the start he wanted to build this franchise through the draft. Turning five picks into 11 was an excellent way to start. People aren't sure about what he plans to do next year when he'll have real spending money for the first time.
The scary part is that even as the Bears are projected to have the most cap space by far of any team when the 2023 off-season begins, nobody is discussing the underlying topic: whether Poles will look to create even more. Believe it or not, the Bears GM can do it. He has multiple moves on the table he can make. Moves that would drastically increase the cap space his team already has.
"Rebuild" is the word getting thrown around plenty as of late. Poles may not use it publicly, but every action he's taken points in that direction. Rumors persisted that he wasn't a fan of the Bears roster when he took over. He felt it needed lots of work. That means tearing things down and building them back up. That requires draft picks and money. He's working on the former but will now have plenty of the latter. How much? Below is a list of possible moves they could make in the coming months. Moves that mirror this year with unloading expensive veterans he didn't draft or sign, along with some easy options with minimal repercussions.
Chicago Bears current projected cap space: $96.05 million
Cut candidates:
- Mario Edwards Jr. - $2.1 million
- Trevor Siemian - $1.96 million
- Darrynton Evans - $1.127 million
Post-June 1st cut candidates:
- Eddie Jackson - $13.1 million
- Cody Whitehair - $9.9 million
Trade candidates:
- Robert Quinn - $9.76 million
Projected cap space if all listed moves are made: $134 million
Poles wanted to create flexibility going into 2023. If he really wants to, he can gut the remainder of the big-contract veterans and end up with a ridiculous amount of cap space. The best part is he wouldn't be able to hold onto it. NFL teams must spend a minimum amount of cap space each year. For example, last season, it was set at $180 million. That means the Bears would have to do lots of spending to meet those requirements. It could be one of the most active free agency periods the organization has seen in years. Chicago Bears fans would love that. Poles may not hand out massive contracts, but he would need to make some legitimate moves. There will be no shortage of options available. NFL players aren't stupid. They pay attention to this stuff. They'll know which teams have money to spend. Agents will likely try to coax bigger deals from Poles. He'll have to remain disciplined in his approach, knowing he can't afford to overpay just because he has this newfound breathing room. That recklessness was what sank Ryan Pace. Either way, the facts are undeniable. If the Bears GM wants to wipe the books clean next off-season, he can.Comments
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