Ryan Poles doesn't know who he will sign in free agency or select in the draft yet. Such things are impossible to predict this early in the process. However, the Chicago Bears GM almost certainly knows how he wants to attack his team's off-season objectives. Certain position groups will hold a higher priority than others. That is natural. The obvious question for fans is which positions those are. Most believe the offensive line is priority one, and Poles hasn't done anything to suggest otherwise. That said, other areas of the roster need help, too.
It appears one that has his full attention is pass rusher. Montez Sweat is undeniably the team's best player up front on defense. Gervon Dexter also took another step forward last season as an interior option. Beyond them, the team never really found another reliable option. Poles was asked how he might address the issue, whether in free agency or the draft. The Bears GM all but signaled his intentions with a simple reply.
Why not both?
"I would probably argue and say if you get a good pass rusher (in free agency) and you draft a pass rusher, you can't have enough good ones."
Ryan Poles seemed to tip his hand already.
That became clear when the Bears released veteran defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker. While not a sack artist by any means, he was one of their more reliable pass rushers. Letting him go was a clear signal the team plans to overhaul that entire position group. This is a great time to do it. Chicago has almost $80 million in cap space and three picks inside the top 41 slots of the draft. That gives them a great opportunity to double down on pass rushers without breaking the bank to do so.
On the veteran front, the best names available include Josh Sweat, Chase Young, Khalil Mack, Haason Reddick, Azeez Ojulari, and Malcolm Koonce. As for the draft, it depends entirely on whether Ryan Poles intends to go for one early. Names like Walter Nolen, Mason Graham, Mykel Williams, Mike Green, James Pearce, and Nic Scourton could be possibilities. The Bears defensive line could look significantly different by the time the dust settles in May.
