Chicago Bears 2022 Free Agency: Does James Daniels stay?

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles wants to rebuild the offensive line. Does he do that by re-signing guard James Daniels?

New Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles sure has a tough start to his job. He inherits a team that just finished the 2021 season 6-11. Additionally, he needs to fill over 60 percent of the roster as most of the players hit free agency this offseason.

While navigating that, Poles needs to do whatever he can to put the team’s franchise quarterback, Justin Fields, in a successful situation. The previous regime did a horrible job of doing that. As a result, Fields struggled in his rookie season.

One of Poles’ stated objectives this offseason was to build the offensive line. He felt the line was too big and slow and failed to properly protect Fields. That included dusting him off when he got hit and going after players who put questionable hits on him.

Poles was an offensive lineman during his playing days so he knows what he wants from them. He wants players who can move, are intelligent and have some nastiness in them. Too many times over the past decade opposing defenses bullied the Bears’ offensive line. Now Poles wants the Chicago Bears to become the bullies.

Poles will hit the free agent market to find help along the offensive line. One of the questions, however, is whether he turns to his own player to help.

Guard James Daniels is one of the many Chicago Bears free agents. He was their second-round pick out of Iowa in 2018. Despite a pectoral injury that cut his 2020 season to just five games, he’s been an effective player for the Bears. He bounced back in 2021 and played all 17 games so he showed he was over his injury.

Does Daniels stay or does he go?

There are a lot of things that go into the decision to keep Daniels or let him go. Poles may want someone nastier to take over. Daniels hasn’t shown a nasty side to him.

Poles could decide to move Teven Jenkins or Larry Borom, both of whom have a nasty side, over to guard. Then he could go out and sign a tough veteran leader to man the left tackle spot. That is one of the most positions on the roster since he’ll be protecting Fields’ blind side.

However, Daniels offers the Bears flexibility. Center Sam Mustipher likely doesn’t return. That means the Bears have a need at that position. Daniels played center for Chicago in his rookie season. If Poles picks up a tackle, he could still sign Daniels and move him back to center.

Of course, Poles might be happy with Daniels at guard, so he’ll keep him there. He’ll also keep Jenkins and Borom where they are, and pick up a center.

How big of a price tag?

So far, Daniels has gone under the radar in terms of free agency. There might be some teams interested but are keeping quiet. Those teams might be more interested in going after the San Francisco 49ers’ Laken Tomlinson.

There are some who feel that there will be a bidding war for Tomlinson. In his seven years in the NFL, he missed just one game. Additionally, he played on over 1,000 offensive snaps in five straight seasons and 100 percent of those in four of them. You cannot beat that type of durability.

Poles might be very interested in signing Tomlinson himself. If there is a bidding war, though, he might opt out. Then the attention will go to Daniels.

What likely happens is that while everyone is falling over themselves over Tomlinson, Poles quickly signs Daniels. Then he’ll make a decision on what other position he goes after, whether it be center or tackle.

Daniels is young and will get even better. The Chicago Bears need to re-sign him.