GM Ryan Poles wasn’t content waiting around this time. The Chicago Bears GM had a mission when the legal tampering period started on Monday. In only a matter of hours, he managed to achieve multiple goals. It started with Drew Dalman, the market’s best center, arriving on a three-year deal. Then, in quick succession, the Bears secured defensive end Dayo Odenyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to give their defensive line a much-needed jolt. Just like that, the Bears addressed all of their key needs.
Suddenly, discussions have picked up about what they will do with the 10th overall pick in next month’s draft. Everybody was convinced it would be a pass rusher or an offensive guard barely a week ago. Now? The discussion has shifted to names like running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Tyler Warren. While fun ideas, Courtney Cronin of ESPN doesn’t believe that is the direction the Bears are leaning. She told Waddle & Silvy that the position to watch is probably left tackle.
The buzz around this idea for the Chicago Bears is picking up steam.
Cronin isn’t the first to mention it. Team color analyst Tom Thayer mentioned the possibility during an interview with FOX 32 Chicago. That was quickly followed up by insider Matt Lombardo, who hinted at the same thing. Now, it comes up again here. Everything seems to point in the direction of the Bears looking to bring their offensive line overhaul to a crescendo by drafting their future at left tackle. Keep in mind that Poles mentioned last month that one of his goals was to find competition for Braxton Jones.
The former 5th round pick broke his leg last season. Before that, his play appeared to have plateaued. While nobody can say he’s a bad tackle, he doesn’t qualify as one you want to protect your QB long-term. Complicating matters even further is the market. Dan Moore Jr., an average left tackle from Pittsburgh, just inked a deal with Tennessee for $21 million per year. Unless the Chicago Bears make a move to find their left tackle now, they could be looking at paying Jones something similar next year.
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@Tred — I was completely blindsided by Matt Eberflus’ onset of battlefield panic. But Karma, being what it is, has provided Ryan Poles with HC Ben. Unfortunately, even a winning record will not make Ryan Poles into a Brad Holmes or an Adam Peters (I’d happily “settle” for a Brian Gutekunst or a Kwesi Adofo-Mensah). As, I’ve stated elsewhere, I believe the Salary Cap has made an NFL GM, the most critically important person in the organization. Clearly, GM Ryan Poles (and more likely, with every failed interview, AGM Ian Cunningham) simply do not have “the right stuff.” You may… Read more »
@TGena – don’t sweat it. It’s easier for most people to just take a few months of hope each year when everything looks rosy, than do serious – and often depressing – honest analysis of why the team *still* isn’t winning. Look at last season. Everything was Eberflus’ fault. As soon as Eberflus was gone, the Bears players would all be able to play to their full potential, right? And Ryan Poles would be vindicated… But the Bears actually played worse, after he was fired by most measures. But somehow, otherwise intelligent people still choose to blame everything on the… Read more »
@Tred — Year’s ago I pointed out the fact that Larry Borom had the “best feet” (a required trait for a Left Tackle) of any player on their O-line. During the 2023 NFL season, I compiled the following data for Erik Lambert’s avid readers — to illustrate the slight “differences” among the three Bears tackles: _____ … For your consideration, the PFF grades and some “hard numbers” on the Bears’ OTs (a 1st round; and two, 5th round selection):: Darnell Wright — RAS: 9.68 6053 – 333 – 33.75 -9 10-yd: 1.75; 20-yd: 2.9; 40-yd: 5.01secs Shuttle: 4.72; 3-cone: N/A… Read more »
Don’t you worry about LT Jones, the Bears have Kiran to back him up if all else fails.
Funny how Gena complains about ex Bears going to Miami. Daniels is nothing gr8 , but was adequate and should have been kept. I’ll give you that. Borom was ripped by Gena multiple times, while here. Now after he’s left Chicago, suddenly Borom has gotten much better in Thom’s eyes.