Free agency and the draft are the two primary ways teams improve their roster from year to year. However, the true artists of the league often do their best work in the trade market. One of the reasons Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman is so highly regarded is thanks to his ability to find and work several deals that net the team either a really good player or a healthy return of draft capital. It is a big reason why the Eagles manage to contend almost every year. As it turns out, the Chicago Bears may have found another such type in Ryan Poles.
Part of being successful in the trade market is understanding one core philosophy. If you want a trade to favor your team, it starts with finding partners who are weak and/or vulnerable for one reason or another. It could be for any number of reasons. Maybe they’re strapped for cash. Maybe they have an overbearing owner, limited draft capital, or a player who isn’t happy in his current situation.
2023: Trade the #1 pick to the Carolina Panthers
- Panthers owner David Tepper had a reputation for being heavily involved in football decisions
- Tepper desperately wanted a QB. That meant he could be tempted
- The Bears got the #9 pick, a 2nd in 2023, 1st in 2024, 2nd in 2025, and WR D.J. Moore
2023: Trade a 2nd round pick to Washington for EDGE Montez Sweat
- The organization was undergoing changes in ownership
- Owners tend to want a fresh start. That leads to good players getting sold off.
- Gave up the 40th pick for a Pro Bowl pass rusher who is 27 years old
2024: Trade a 4th round pick to Los Angeles for WR Keenan Allen
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- The Chargers were in salary cap misery
- L.A. also had a new head coach and GM who wanted a youth movement
- Bears had two 4th rounders. It was an easy decision
Those reports about Ryan Poles being smart weren’t lying.
He seems to have a natural feel for this stuff. He understands where the vulnerable teams will be each off-season and finds a way to exploit them to his benefit. Think about it. He netted Sweat and Allen for 2nd and 4th round picks. In any normal situation, those players would’ve cost significantly more. Poles chose his timing perfectly, calling both teams right when they were in the middle of power transitions. Now he heads into the draft already with a roster looking ready for a playoff push and still has two top 10 picks at his disposal.
Ryan Poles isn’t perfect. He’s made his share of mistakes. Everybody points out the Chase Claypool fiasco. However, the mark of any good GM is being able to learn from his missteps. In the two trades since that blunder, he’s made sure to target players far more proven and reliable. Sweat already worked out. Allen should as well if he stays healthy. Poles has made the Bears a better football team with remarkable speed. It wouldn’t be shocking if he’s not done making deals yet.
