Free agency isn’t only about signing the big names. Teams must also use it to fortify their roster depth wherever possible. Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles took care of some of that business on Wednesday as the new league year began. According to multiple sources, the team added offensive tackle Matt Pryor and quarterback Brett Rypien in quick succession to their depth chart. Pryor spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup at both tackle and guard. Rypien was with the Seattle Seahawks last season, so he has ties to new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Pryor was an undrafted free agent of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. So assistant GM Ian Cunningham is familiar with him. He is a massive guy at 6’7, 330 lbs with 35-inch arms. He checks the boxes of size and length Poles prefers. Also, he’s a quality athlete who fits well in a zone-blocking scheme. The primary concerns with him have been weight management and an inconsistent work ethic. During his stint as a starter in 2020, he allowed 35 pressures on the quarterback. A year later in Indianapolis, he came in as a backup for 288 snaps and only allowed eight. Pryor is capable, but it’s probably best to have him as a reserve.
Rypien is the nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. He had a productive career at Boise State before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Since then, he’s had a journeyman run with four different teams before landing in Chicago. He has 168 career pass attempts with four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Chicago Bears have depth and competition here.
Make no mistake, neither of these players is a threat to start for this team. They are meant to push other guys on the depth chart. Pryor is direct competition with Larry Borom for the swing tackle position. Rypien was brought in for his knowledge of Waldron’s system and to battle Tyson Bagent for the backup spot. Neither move is flashy, but both are necessary to stack the roster with as much depth as possible. Early reactions suggest Pryor has a better chance to stick with the team than Rypien, who might be a practice squad option at best.
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Don’t forget the Chicago Bears have only five draft picks at the moment. They aren’t in a position to feel these voids with rookies. Maybe that changes if they execute some trades. For now, expect more such signings in the near future. Wide receiver, defensive line, and secondary all could use more bodies. One can safely assume Poles already has some lines in the water trying to reel some guys in.
Guys —
This clown Poles, is making it way too easy for.me.
It feels like stealing.
And then, your silly excuses — they make my “free agency” day!
Pryor has not ben exceptional, but while he may not be an improvement over Whitehair, considering how little he’s played in the past year, he is at least likely *a lot cheaper.* Considering how little Morgan has done with the young players he’s been given, this may actually be a smart move by Poles, bringing in a veteran who is a more finished product.
Who knows? If he is healthy he might surprise us and be a decent upgrade.
I definitely think trading any pick down is on the table. Good GM’s don’t try to win prizes at insane auctions. Best to get a handful of players on reasonable contracts who can help the team. Might get a lucky splash- might not. It feels like free agency didn’t offer much this year with lots of older guys and oft injured guys. So I wish we had more draft picks and I imagine Poles does as well.
Looks like Braxton has locked the starting LT job. Not a bad thing.
Still no WR. Ninth pick could miss the top 3. The longer Poles goes without signing one the more it looks like trading #1 is still on the table.
Bates gives us versatility along the IOL. Pryor gives us G/T versatility. I’m okay with these moves. I still think Poles is going to add a center.