The period for NFL free agents to begin negotiations with new teams started on Monday with new Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles overseeing his first free agency class. Poles’ first significant free-agent signing was former Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who recorded seven sacks last season. Chicago’s new general manager has avoided making an unnecessary big splash during the early part of NFL free agency, which is demonstrating important moxie.

The #Bears are expected to sign #Bengals DT Larry Ogunjobi, source said. A huge piece in the middle.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022

Previous Bears’ Executives Have Tried To Make A “Big Splash” on Day One Of Free Agency

For first-time general managers, there has always been a trend of making a significant free-agent acquisition in the first offseason to generate buzz for a fan base. Even seasoned general managers with first-time head coaches are prone to making a significant free-agent splash as a way to jumpstart a potential rebuild. Whether it is a big signing or a blockbuster trade, NFL teams with new general managers or head coaches often make a significant move to make noise, which sometimes can be costly.

Poles has avoided making aggressive moves so far in his first offseason as general manager, something previous general managers have failed to do, including Ryan Pace. When Pace was hired in 2015, he immediately signed free agent linebacker Pernell McPhee to a five-year deal worth over 40 million dollars. McPhee would only record 14 sacks over three seasons with the Bears as he consistently battled knee injuries. The signing, which initially looked promising for Pace, would go down as one of his more questionable decision as general manager.

Bears GM Ryan Pace: Three players will begin on PUP–Pernell McPhee (knee, conditioning), Amini Silotolu (knee), Marquess Wilson (foot)

— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) July 27, 2016

Following the 2003 Bears’ season, general manager Jerry Angelo tried to spend aggressively during free agency as he attempted to sign All-Pro defensive linemen Warren Sapp and Javon Kearse. Although Chicago fans were upset when Sapp and Kearse signed elsewhere, Angelo was able to sign free agent running back Thomas Jones and offensive tackle John Tait. Jones and Tait would be instrumental in the Bears’ success in 2005 and 2006 as the team won back-to-back NFC North Division and made it Super Bowl 41.

Although Angelo failed to make the “big” free agent signing during the 2004 offseason, he found vital pieces that helped open a playoff window for Chicago. Poles’ signing of Ogunjobi is significant because the defensive tackle fits new head coach Matt Eberflus’ Cover-2 defensive scheme. The Bears’ defensive roster is still mostly filled with players fitted for a 3-4 defensive scheme. Ogunjobi’s presence addresses a needed role in the new cover-2 defense as a three-technique tackle.

This play shows what the #Bears getting out of Larry Ogunjobi.

Speed. Power. Effort. He can rush the passer and stuff the run. He’s a true three-down DL. pic.twitter.com/SyhIIqX5XB

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 14, 2022

It Is Important For Poles Not To Overspend Just To Make Noise

On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars made one of the costlier signings as the team signed wide receiver Christian Kirk to a four-year deal worth 84 million dollars. Kirk’s deal is controversial as the wide receiver never highly produced during his four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Like the Bears, the Jaguars have hired a new general manager and head coach this offseason.

Jaguars are giving former Cardinals WR Christian Kirk a four-year deal worth up to $84 million deal, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022

The Bears were interested in signing Kirk but had they spent the level of money the Jaguars spent on Monday, the Chicago media and fanbase would have significantly questioned the signing. Another signing the Bears could have made was for free-agent center Brian Allen, who re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Although Chicago could have afforded Allen, they may have had to overpay as they are not going to be in a position to compete for the playoffs the next season or two, where Los Angeles was.

Christian Kirk's contract is a fireable offense.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) March 14, 2022

Poles needs to identify quality role players during free agency this offseason that will help to build a base for the Bears’ roster moving forward. Chicago’s new general manager has limited resources to work with this offseason to improve his team heading into the 2022 season. Poles’ main focus for the 2022 season needs to be the improvement of second-year quarterback Justin Fields and putting pieces around the quarterback.

Although the Bears have limited resources this offseason, they will have unlimited resources to improve their roster next offseason. Chicago is projected to have over 120 million in salary-cap space following the 2022 season and could potentially have a top-10 first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. These are the needed resources Poles must have to turn Chicago’s roster around in one offseason. The best thing he can do this offseason is improve as many positions as possible with players that fit the system while not jeopardizing any resources for next year.

Looking at the Mack trade: The #Bears would of paid him 31M this yr. So they take a 24M cap hit this yr
but get 6M in cap space back.

next year: they gain 28.5M in cap space
& I'm seeing they'll have 121M of cap space in 2023

Ryan Poles has a plan. We have to see it through.

— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) March 10, 2022

Although Bears fans might be upset or restless that the team has yet to make a flashy signing or trade to improve the roster, it is vital to remember what Poles is trying to do. Unlike Angelo and Pace, Chicago’s new general manager is not trying to improve the team with just one massive signing but finding areas to improve the Bears position by position. Poles is positioning himself and the Bears to be ready to make significant improvements next offseason, something most first-year general managers are afraid of doing.