Winning free agency never translates to winning championships. At least it doesn’t 90% of the time. Teams use this time of year to plug holes on the roster and hope they can find their star power in the draft. The Chicago Bears are the same way. However, GM Ryan Poles also isn’t naive. He knows his leash is getting short. His first three years with the team all ended with losing records and resulted in the firing of his first head coach. Patience with him is already thin among Bears fans. He needs to get this team winning now.
Chicago had the money to spend, and they finally decided to come out swinging. Over the course of one week, Poles delivered five moves that completely changed the look of this roster. It started with trades for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. That was followed on the first day of free agency with a flurry of splashes. Leading the way was center Drew Dalman, followed by defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, and finally, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
The reaction from experts across the NFL landscape was pretty telling.
The Chicago Bears can bring it all home in the draft.
Poles has put the team in a great position. Mind you, those five men shouldn’t be expected to make this team a Super Bowl contender. That isn’t why they were acquired. These moves were meant to raise the floor of this roster. They should stabilize two of the most problematic areas for the Chicago Bears. Now the team can go hunting for star power in the draft. They have three picks in the top 41. That gives them a legitimate chance to land three really good players. Poles has been fairly good at finding quality talent in the early rounds. This could end up becoming his coup de grâce.
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@Skee — I think (hope) you’re right. Things sure seem different at Halas Hall with HC Ben and his crew “running things” so far. I love the acquisition of, Joe Thuney and Grady Jarrett; but I need to “watch some tape” on: Drew Dalman and Dayo Odeyingbo. I’ll give Ryan Poles a “thumbs up” for going along (and for his Thuney connection). But, Poles gets negative grades for the loss of Borom and soon, Teven Jenkins (Why didn’t Poles trade these guys — as he should trade the recovered LT, Braxton Jones before the 11th hour — when he {Poles}… Read more »
@TGena – I can agree with the jist of the points that you make, in fact, I’ll say the salary cap is Ryan Poles strongest value to the team, and to your point, we obviously didn’t have a hall of fame QB or head coach, but Coach Johnson will get this team headed in the right direction, he’ll be deserving of being the face of our franchise.
Well then let’s do one of your public opinion polls right now
Those that wish nurse sally to leave this forum vote +
For those that wish her to stay here vote –
No No Bad Doogie/Dufus. Take courses in critical theory, advanced logic, public opinion polls, and Political Propaganda for Dummies. Otherwise, you are too easy to fool.
Truth does not blush ~ Q & S
@Skee — You make a good point about a team’s head coach — especially a colorful HC like Ditka, Buddy Ryan, Dan Campbell, etc, But consider this position: Unless your team employs either a future Hall of Fame Quarterback or, Hall of Fame Head Coach — the most critically important person is the team’s General Manager. Here’s why: the NFL Salary Cap. Google this… NFL Salary Cap History: How It Shaped the League’s Financial Landscape … and follow it up with: What every general manager can learn from Howie Roseman’s Eagles __________ The game is still played/won by the players… Read more »