Ryan Poles' Draft Priorities Just Underwent A Titanic Shift

The tricky thing to remember for the Chicago Bears is that they sit in a tough division. It has been that way for decades. Even as they work hard to improve across the board, other teams in the NFC North have a lead on them. Now, the status quo has changed once again. In a blockbuster move, the Green Bay Packers traded for superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons. They sent the Dallas Cowboys two 1st round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons received a new four-year contract worth $188 million. The Bears will see him twice a year moving forward, and GM Ryan Poles just saw his 2026 offseason plans crystalize.

For months, Chicago has faced an uncomfortable question: Who is their left tackle? Ben Johnson and the coaching staff spent the past month trying to answer that question. Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo, Kiran Amegadjie, and Theo Benedet all took turns trying to seize the job. While it appears Jones will hold it for now, there is no indication it will stay that way. Johnson hasn't been shy about saying what he's seen isn't good enough. Now that Parsons is entering an already stacked division of pass rushers, there is no longer a doubt that left tackle will be the top priority next spring.

Ryan Poles at least hired a coach who can work around such problems.

Johnson is no stranger to game planning against great players. He did it all the time for Detroit, often successfully. This offense will be about running the football, and that is often the best way to neutralize a great pass rush. Green Bay has struggled to stop the run in recent years, and losing Kenny Clark won't help. Even so, Ryan Poles must get to work scouting every conceivable tackle in next year's offseason. Maybe he will go after a prominent veteran or decide to draft one. The bottom line is the Bears can't let this move go unanswered. Caleb Williams is their priority. That means protecting him at all costs. If that means sacrificing other possible positions to ensure they get a proper left tackle, so be it.