Chicago Bears: Grading their first day of free agency

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles had a different opening to the free agency period than last year. He made three big signings that solidified the roster.

Well, the start of free agency is upon us. Actually, nothing is official until Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern but on Monday the free agency window to work out deals opened. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was certainly busy.

It was a different situation than what we saw last year. As teams started signing player after player, Poles was quiet. Then, when he started, he didn’t make much of a splash. Additionally, the one splash he did make ended up getting voided because of a failed physical.

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles gets after it quickly in 2023 NFL Free Agency

On Monday, however, Poles was busy. He entered the period with the highest available salary cap space. Even after acquiring D.J. Moore and his 2023 $20 million cap hit the Bears still had $75+ million to spend.

Poles started spending it. He made three signings. The three project to be starters. Two of the three were linebackers. He turned the linebackers unit from one that was thin and struggling to a tough, athletic unit.

Poles also signed a player to upgrade the offensive line. The line is a unit that has been a Chicago Bears Achilles heel for decades. Despite blocking well enough for Chicago to lead the league in rushing in 2022, the pass blocking was horrible. They gave up 53 sacks on Justin Fields. Additionally, Fields was constantly pressured.

Being an offensive lineman himself, Poles wants desperately to improve the line. He took his first step on Monday.

It will be interesting to see what else Poles does in free agency. He elicited a lot of joy on his first day. Let’s see what happens going forward. Here are the grades for his first signings.