When Ryan Poles was hired as the Chicago Bears’ new GM, he had the unenviable task of trying to rebuild a Bears team that had no real direction, future talent and large salaries on talented, yet aging players. Poles could have made the decision to try and built around the players already in place or to do a complete rebuild. Poles chose the rebuild and stuck to his plan ever since.
The Bears went into this season with the most 1st or 2nd year players on a roster. He gutted the team by getting rid of veterans Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, Tarik Cohen, Danny Trevathan and James Daniels. Poles began the process of stockpiling drafts and getting significantly under the salary cap in an effort to make a push in 2023 & 2024. Some questioned why Poles would leave the cupboard so bare. Some wondered why didn’t Poles didn’t address adding any weapons or depth to support QB Justin Fields. Through it all Poles has held steadfast with his plan.
Some even wondered if Poles would do anything leading up to the NFL trade deadline. Poles took part in the trade deadline… and then some.
Two days after the Bears’ big win over the Patriots on Monday Night Football, it was announced defensive end Robert Quinn had been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears received a 4th round pick for Quinn. Less than 24 hours after the Bears’ loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, the Bears announced that they traded LB Roquan Smith to the Ravens. The Bears in return got a 2nd & 5th round pick and LB AJ Klein. 24 hours later? The Bears traded their 2nd round pick to the Steelers in exchange for WR Chase Claypool.
If there was any doubt just who was controlling the purse strings to the Chicago Bears they have been erased. Bears’ ownership is all in on the plan Ryan Poles has in place. He is holding all the keys and making all the decisions and I for one like it.
I like the fact Poles has a clear vision of how he wants to build this team. He is in full control of what’s going on and is steadfast on stockpiling draft picks and building the team through the draft and good free agent signings. The Roquan trade was the right call because you just can’t pay $20+ million for a non-premiere position. The talks between Poles & Roquan were very sketchy and a deal wasn’t a sure thing. I just don’t believe common ground could have been reached between the two sides. Obviously trading Quinn was the right call as Quinn is on the downside of his career and he was having a very quiet year. Getting Chase Claypool gives Justin Fields a BIG target on the field he can look for. And for those who haven’t seen what Claypool can do, here’s a clip posted by the Bears.
GM Ryan Poles took to the podium to address the Bears’ recent moves:
The Score’s Laurence Holmes & Dan Bernstein offered their thoughts on the Claypool trade:
Whether you believe Ryan Poles is right or not, you have to respect how he is going about his plan. He’s putting all his chips in.
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