GM Ryan Poles does not fear making changes. That much has become obvious over the past several months. He overturned well over half of the Chicago Bears roster from last season. Only 19 players remain from that group, and there is a strong possibility that number will drop even further by next off-season. His final stroke sent the biggest message, claiming an unheard of seven players off waivers last week. Everybody had favorites like former 1st round pick Alex Leatherwood, productive defensive tackle Armon Watts, and preseason MVP linebacker Sterling Weatherford. Then there is Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
It’s an exciting pickup on the surface. The wide receiver was a 5th round pick for the Minnesota Vikings last season. He didn’t play much most of his rookie year but popped off for 103 yards and a touchdown in the season finale against Chicago. He followed that by leading the team in receiving yards during the preseason. Despite that, the Vikings still cut him. A day later, the Bears scooped him up. Former NFL tight end Clay Harbor not only loves Smith-Marsette but called him the best waiver claim Chicago made.
The last Bears waiver claim Ihmir Smith-Marsette is probably my favorite. I loved him at Iowa. He’s got 4.45 speed he’s explosive (37 inch vert/ 10’5” broad). I think he could develop into a weapon.
We’ll forgive him for this celebration at soldier field. 😡 #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/KXP7584Nxe
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 4, 2022
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a worthwhile gamble.
Poles made it clear from the moment he took over that he would target athletes when building his roster. Smith-Marsette checks that box with his 4.4 speed and explosiveness. He showed last year that he’s also improved his route-running skills. It wasn’t that he lacked anything in Minnesota. He was mostly trapped on a loaded depth chart. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen were already in place as Kirk Cousins’ primary targets. K.J. Osborn was situated as the #3 guy. There was nowhere for the rookie to carve out a role.
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Then a new regime came in this off-season with their own ideas on building a roster. Draft picks can quickly fall out of favor in those situations. It doesn’t mean the player is bad. It means the new GM and head coach want to build the roster with players they picked or signed. So Ihmir Smith-Marsette was released. The Bears aren’t complaining. If they can help him blossom, they’ll control his rights for the next three seasons at dirt cheap prices. Not only can he help their receiving game, but he’s also another strong option for their kick returner job.
I also live in MN and Keith Lis you are full of it. Vikings Wire had just had a feature on ISM and the new coach had just praised his ability three days hence. Every beat writer in town and blogger on tube were shocked they let him go.
I live in Minnesota, no tears were shed when they cut him. Hope Poles sees something no one here saw. His best and only game was vs the Bears.
This kid can play, he is sneaky quick and knows how to set up defenders. B Ringle and every WR not named D Mooney better bring their A-game every week!
Game 1 can't get here any quicker. SF going down. Bet.
I like ALL the FA pickups made by Poles and Cunningham. This team got better and added much needed depth.