Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has another busy day in free agency. On Day 2 of the official free agency period he signed four players.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles entered the new NFL year with the fattest wallet in the league. Well, he is certainly acting like he does.
Poles added four new players to help overhaul a roster that won just three games in 2022. Additionally, they lost their last 10 games.
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles staying active in NFL Free Agency
In the process, however, the Bears had about $98 million in salary cap space and the top overall pick. Because of the salary cap, Poles was able to pull off a big trade that gave the team additional draft assets as well as their likely WR1, D.J. Moore.
Poles has gone on a spending spree since the beginning of the free agency period. He hasn’t been spending crazily, though. He has some big contracts, yes. Moore will be a $20.1 million cap hit in 2023. He also signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year deal at $18 million annually.
However, his other signings have been economical. Even with the Edmunds deal, Poles signed him and T.J. Edwards and completely changed the linebackers unit. As of now, he has Edmunds, Edwards, and Jack Sanborn to man the linebacker spot at a total of $25 million. Roquan Smith, who Poles had to trade because of a contract dispute, was looking for $20 million per year. Poles traded him and acquired two picks. Now his linebackers unit is solid at the three starting spots, not just top-heavy.
Poles also added help on the offensive and defensive lines. He added offensive guard Nate Davis and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
He wasn’t finished there, however. He just signed four more players. They add significant help on both offense and defense.
Poles’ vision is coming to fruition. Let’s take a look at the new signings.