The priorities for free agency seem clear. Find the most talented players you can that fit your schemes and stand the best chance of giving your organization an instant boost. GM Ryan Poles doesn't want to make a living on the veteran market. It's too expensive and rarely has any long-term benefits. Still, he knew coming into 2023 that he would have to invest significant portions of his cap space there. The Chicago Bears had way too many roster holes to ignore.
Poles approached things with a clear agenda. He wanted athletic, hard-nosed players that are still on the younger side. His four biggest signings all fit the profile. However, amidst the quick reactions, we completely overlooked an added wrinkle to the moves. Poles also made sure every addition came from winning organizations.
- Tremaine Edmunds - Buffalo Bills
- T.J. Edwards - Philadelphia Eagles
- Nate Davis - Tennessee Titans
- DeMarcus Walker - Tennessee Titans
The Bills have made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons and won three straight division titles. Philadelphia won the Super Bowl in 2017 and got back there again in 2022 with the best record in the NFC. Tennessee has made the playoffs three of the past four seasons, including two division titles. The list doesn't even include Robert Tonyan, who came from Green Bay, where they made the playoffs three of the past four years and reached back-to-back conference championships.
Ryan Poles continues to remain on brand.
He's said from the moment he took over as Bears GM that he wants to craft a team that can win consistently—no more bursts of one or two good seasons followed by a long drought. You win championships in this league by creating a culture where winning isn't just wanted; it's expected. Everybody is held to a high standard. That doesn't only come from the coaches. For it to work, you also need it from the players. So Poles made sure to target guys with not only talent but also standards.
Walker is already making his presence felt with his vocal way of challenging teammates to work harder. Edmunds' and Edwards' leadership is also having an immediate influence on the younger players on defense as well. This is exactly what Ryan Poles wanted. With those guys setting the pace, everybody else will follow. One must admire how savvy the approach is for a GM still so young. The Bears may not yet be good enough to pursue a championship, but their core is much stronger now.
