It’s been hard to find positives for the Chicago Bears this season. Rebuilding is never easy. It comes with lots of losing early on. At 3-13, this has been one of the toughest years for this fanbase. That said, they can take solace in one thing. New GM Ryan Poles might be pretty good at drafting. His 2022 rookie class has looked really good this year. Kyler Gordon has three interceptions. Jaquan Brisker leads the team with four sacks. Velus Jones is an emerging kick return threat. Braxton Jones has started every game at left tackle. Undrafted free agent Jack Sanborn looked like a solid middle linebacker, and Josh Blackwell is already a special teams ace.
It apparently doesn’t end there. People have forgotten about punter Trenton Gill. The 7th round pick was up and down through most of 2022, but it appears he’s found a groove over the past three weeks. His net yards per punt in that span are 41.8, and seven of his 17 kicks have been downed inside the 20-yard line. For context, his average net yardage over the previous 13 games was 39.1, and he had 11 downed inside the 20. Now according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, he’s closing in on a franchise record.
“He’s in position to become only the third Bears punter to finish a season with a net average above 40 yards. Gill can set a franchise mark with a big game against the Vikings. He raised his net average to 40.5 yards with a season-high seven punts against the Lions. Pat O’Donnell (40.7 in 2019) has the mark to beat, and Adam Podlesh finished at 40.4 in 2011.”
Ryan Poles deserves credit for this class.
It’s too early to say whether it’ll produce any stars. However, it’s evident the Bears GM accomplished the primary goal. Anybody will tell you the mission of every draft is to secure two or three starting-caliber players. Poles appears to have gotten four with Gordon, Brisker, Jones, and Gill. Keep in mind this wasn’t a situation that was spoon-fed to him by the previous regime. Ryan Pace left the team with five draft picks when he got fired, including no 1st rounder. Poles, through trades, increased that to 11. Three of those names listed above, including Gill, were direct results of those trades.
Now the real fun begins. Ryan Poles is one game away from holding at least the #2 pick in the 2023 draft. If the Bears lose and Houston wins next Sunday, it will become the #1 pick. There is no telling what this GM will do in that situation. We already know he likes to trade and isn’t afraid to move down. Would he auction either of those picks to the highest bidder looking for a QB? That is what fans are eager to find out. Examples like Gill offer hope he’ll be able to take advantage.
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He’s a punter, c’mon he didn’t find Brady. Next thing you will say he parted the Red Sea after he pulled the drain plug on his filled sink.
Kudos to Ryan Poles. He has shown he has the skill to identify and acquire players with high upsides. I think the Bears will look significantly different in 2023 and be competitive again.
It’s been a rebuild year, yes, they traded and cut older, better and more experienced/ expensive players who were on their last leg. The Bears didn’t have very many draft picks. Looking back on it, I realize now how bad of shape they truly were in. Bears need 8 or 9 very good starters to bring this team to playoff talent. I figure with 110 million dollars and a shitload of draft picks that should be obtainable with no problem.
@Hehateme30 I’m with you. Too many bad years. I think we have our quarterback but man we need help.
Scott no one is bullying you. For context, I was 21 more than a couple of decades ago. Im closer to retirement at the proper age than many posting on here. Not many Wr FA’s. Lot of linemen OL & DL out there. We just need to be patient for the draft & free agency. Another note: When I first starting watching Bears football the QB’s were Bobby Douglas & Kent Nix. Virgil Carter & Jack Concannon were leaving. The Coach was Abe Gibron an old NFL lineman. The best WR was George Farmer. On defense Butkus was there, but… Read more »