Undoubtedly, this year's offseason is the most critical time in the two-plus years of the Ryan Poles era. He has a healthy wallet with cap room to address some important needs. For the moment, he has locked up standout CB Jaylon Johnson for at least one year. But by adding pieces to the roster by trading some draft capital from this year, he finds himself with only five picks for next month's draft.
Currently, Ryan Poles has five selections in the 2024 draft. That will change. Poles has expertly maneuvered through his first two drafts with aplomb. He doubled his draft picks in 2022, and in 2023, he traded the top overall pick to Carolina, netting Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, DJ Moore, and this year's top overall pick.
The five selections are front-loaded: two first-round selections (1 and 9), one third-round (75), and they hold the 111th and 123rd pick in round four. It has yet to be determined what the Bears may end up with when they trade Justin Fields. More on that later. Trust Ryan Poles to work his magic and end up with eight or nine total picks in this year's draft.
As free agency is set to open one week from today, the Bears added a versatile offensive lineman when they acquired Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills. Bates can play anywhere, but unless the center position is addressed between now and the draft, one would expect Bates to get a shot as their starting center.
Center, Wide Receiver, Safety, and another Edge to complement Montez Sweat on the defensive line are presumed priorities when free agents can be signed starting the afternoon of March 13th.
Jaylon Johnson Given the Restricted Franchise Tag
Despite negotiating right up to the deadline to use franchise tags, Poles could not finalize a multi-year deal with Johnson. Placing the Restricted tag on the deal gives Poles three advantages. He now has until mid-July to hammer out a long-term deal. Any team can sign Jaylon to an offer sheet, but the Bears can match their offer, maintaining him. If any team offers a deal the Bears refuse to match, that team has to give the Bears a first-round selection in 2024, and 2025.
Bears Trivia
Who was the Bears' nominee for the NFL's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award if 2021?
Justin Fields Update
This could not be a worse year trying to find a team willing to trade what Poles is seeking as compensation for the third-year quarterback. There is an unprecedented number of veteran quarterbacks available in free agency. Dominoes must fall before Fields finds a new home.
Names topping the list of available veterans include Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson, and Joe Flacco. Also heading to the open market are familiar names: Gardner Minshew, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston, and Tyrod Taylor.
Expectations are Tampa will get a deal done with Mayfield, but where Kirk Cousins ends up and when he signs could start the ball rolling. Many teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots. Atlanta and Pittsburgh seemed to be likely destinations for Fields as the Scouting Combine began last week, but those talks subsided early. Other teams mentioned have been Vegas, Washington, and Minnesota.
The likelihood is Fields will not be traded until the top QBs find homes. Word around the league is a Fielids trade isn't likely until after the first week of free agecy signings.
Trivia Answer
Linebacker Roquan Smith was the Bears' nominee for the Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
News and Notes
The Bears announced this week a new position to help Kevin Warren with the Bears' plans to build their new stadium. Karen B. Murphy, who has been with the Bears organization since 1999, was promoted to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Stasium Development. Hopefully Murphy can manage to bring the stadium plans in Arlington to life.
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