Plenty of fans are frustrated by the Chicago Bears’ slow start to free agency. Thus far, they’ve only made a handful of signings: Justin Jones, Lucas Patrick, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Nicholas Morrow. They also re-signed Patrick Scales and DeAndre Houston-Carson. Their only big-ticket acquisition was Larry Ogunjobi, and that was rescinded after he failed his physical. As of now, the team has just 50 players under contract. The fewest of any team in the NFL.
Some are starting to wonder if GM Ryan Poles has any sense of urgency. The market is drying up in several areas. Positions of considerable need remain unaddressed for the Bears. They still have over $30 million in cap space. It is difficult to find justification for their glacial approach. That is unless it is intentional. One must remember what Poles said from the outset of his takeover. He intends to build this team through the draft.
In other words, acquire young and cheap talent and develop it.
By extension, that also means undrafted free agency will be a central focus of the organization. Remember that the undrafted market isn’t the same as the veteran one. Teams can only offer a certain amount of money for a player’s services. When this is the case, the best way to draw the attention of top prospects is with a clear opportunity. A chance to make the roster and earn legitimate playing time.
That is what Poles could be doing with his methodical approach thus far. He is intentionally biding his time, leaving more roster spots open. Then after the upcoming draft next month, he’ll be able to sell top undrafted free agents on prime opportunities in Chicago. Especially under a coaching staff led by Matt Eberflus. Somebody who takes the teaching of football as seriously as anybody. He’d embrace the idea of developing undrafted players.
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Chicago Bears are in good hands as far as finding UDFAs
Poles comes from Kansas City. The Chiefs built a ton of success by scoring overlooked gems in the college ranks. In 2018, they also nailed two undrafted signings in Pringle and running back Darrell Williams. The latter proved pivotal to their eventual Super Bowl victory the following year. Then there is assistant GM Ian Cunningham. He came up with the Baltimore Ravens and was part of the scouting department that acquired Zach Orr and Justin Tucker. Then he went over to the Philadelphia Eagles, where names like Corey Clement and Nate Herbig have helped the team find success.
Remember. The Chicago Bears only have six picks in the draft this year. While they may work to acquire more, they don’t have much ammunition to build through it as Poles wants. That means they may have to lean on undrafted free agency more than usual if they want to get a proper infusion of young talent. Ryan Pace did the same thing early in his run with the team and ended up with guys like Bryce Callahan and Roy Robertson-Harris.
Somewhere around 2018, they stopped doing that.
Likely because Matt Nagy showed he often preferred veteran options to younger ones. That won’t be the case under Eberflus. This team will get back to developing their own. It is what the men at the top want to do, and their slow-burn approach in free agency proves as much. That should make the immediate aftermath of the draft fun to watch.
