One thing about Ryan Poles during his stint as Chicago Bears GM is that he’s not afraid to break barriers. In his brief time running the show, he has become one of the few general managers to trade the #1 overall pick in the draft and the only one in Bears history to utilize that same pick on a quarterback. He’s also the first one to secure multiple 1st round picks in a single draft since 2003. One has to wonder if there are any other ways Poles could end up going against recent Bears history.
The short answer is yes.
Ask anybody what this team’s priority is in the 2025 off-season, and they will say the offensive line. It’s an open secret. Everybody expects Chicago to be aggressive in upgrading Caleb Williams’ protection. That led to an interesting question. Have the Bears ever spent multiple high draft choices (i.e., 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rounders) in one draft on that position? Once. That came in 2002 when they selected Marc Colombo in the 1st round and Terrance Metcalf in the 3rd.
That means Poles could be about to break a streak that has stood for 23 years.
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Ryan Poles must avoid what happened back then.
The heartbreaking part about that draft is that it almost could’ve been great. Colombo eventually became a quality offensive lineman in the NFL, but not in Chicago. His time with the Bears was marred by a series of brutal injuries that kept him out most of his first three seasons. Only after moving on to Dallas did he blossom into a good player. Worse still, five-time Pro Bowler Andre Gurode went a few picks later, early in the second round. Metcalf became a decent rotational player but nothing special.
Chicago has four picks in the first three rounds in this 2025 draft. It could become six if Ian Cunningham lands the Jacksonville Jaguars job, as many suspect. That means Ryan Poles will have a golden opportunity to land two talented blockers for his depleted offensive line. If he can somehow hit on both, the Bears will be set up for instant success next season. Jerry Angelo didn’t quite hit the mark all those years ago. Maybe if he had events a few years later in Miami could’ve been different.
Bears really need to sign C Dalman. What other realistic choice is possibly as good or better? Didn’t think so!
With all that prime draft capital how does one end up 5-12 after year 3? Tough one.
Still looking for the long term center after year 3 as well. Keep Shelton and ask Caleb about Monheim in the draft.
If this is the all-star coaching staff many believe it is those late 1st to 3rd rounders should have accelerated progress. Better if Poles is told who to take.
Well he best go after a center in FA because most centers in the draft are considered weak. The best is probably a 3rd or 4th round pick. Maybe they move the guard they just picked up from the chargers to center. He was very athletic in college.
I don’t agree with the narrative that Ryan Poles needs to find the right players for our O-Line. I’d feel better if Coach Johnson and his staff do the evaluating of players, then I’d be okay with Ryan Poles signing the players that the coaching staff wants, NOT the other way around!!!!!!!
Barry, I do not disagree with going after the higher-rated guards in the draft and having a number of them on your roster. If Poles lets Ben Johnson and their O-line coach have a lot of input of who they want in free agency, then they don’t have to reach as much. If there is a good D-lineman there at 10, they have to go that route to add talent. They are in pretty good shape with corners and at WR, so the interior of the line is the weakness that we are all aware of. We have not had… Read more »