Chicago Bears: What A Difference 24 Hours Make

Just a day ago, the Chicago Bears had many questions about the offensive line. After two signings, however, the unit looks stronger.

As the Chicago Bears prepare for the start of training camp tomorrow, general manager Ryan Poles shows that he’s still busy trying to bolster the roster. He made acquisitions to try to improve two of the weakest positions on the team.

Two weeks ago, Poles pulled the trigger on a deal that brought wide receiver N’Keal Harry to town. It was a very low-cost deal, as the Bears only gave up a seventh-round pick in 2024 and will only need to pay Harry $1.2 million if he makes the team. He was a disappointment for the New England Patriots but was a first-round pick so he has the talent to succeed. Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needs to turn things around.

On Monday, the eve of veterans reporting to training camp, there were many questions surrounding the offensive line.

For years, the offensive line unit has struggled to protect the quarterback and open holes for the running back. Due to their struggles, the offense has ended up ranking at or near the bottom of most offensive categories.

Well, Poles saw the same thing. He didn’t go out this offseason and sign big names. His biggest signing was Lucas Patrick, the new center. He also drafted four linemen for future help.

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The offensive line needed more

Poles saw a need for the present as well. He knows that he has a gem in Justin Fields. His protection and development are the top priority. Looking at what was on the unit, though, he felt there needed to be more.

Poles went out and strengthened the unit. Late on Monday, he signed offensive guard and Chicagoland native Michael Schofield. There was to be a battle for the spot that opened up as a result of James Daniels leaving via free agency. Schofield is a solid lineman who should easily win the job.

Poles wasn’t done yet, however. There is also a question at both tackle spots. Things were such an unknown that rookie Braxton Jones, the Bears’ fifth-round pick, was supposed to compete for the starting left tackle job.

That was something Poles likely could not want to happen. He bolstered the unit once again. He signed tackle Riley Reiff.

Reiff has been one of the better tackles in the league for 10 seasons. While he isn’t as good as he was in his prime, he is still a very good player. He played last season for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was in on 92 percent of the offensive snaps so he showed that he is still durable. Like with Schofield, Reiff should be the starter from Week 1.

The two signings solidify the offensive line. People felt that Fields wouldn’t have the protection he needed to succeed. The line was the worst in the league last season, giving up 58 sacks.

Things should change this season, especially with the new signings. The unit might not be the best but there is an improvement.

These signings are not a permanent help. Both players signed for just one year. What the signings do, however, is settle the unit. Now, there won’t be the question about a rookie starting at such an important spot. All four rookies can play in a rotation and ease their way in. They can mostly sit and watch and then be more ready in 2023 and beyond.

While many people didn’t understand Poles’ approach this offseason, it has paid off. His moves resulted in the Bears having the second-highest salary cap space for 2022 with about $22 million. That helped him sign both Schofield ($1.12 million) and Reiff ($12.5 million). Additionally, they have the highest cap space for 2023.

Now the questions should be for the backups. Larry Borom could now battle Teven Jenkins for the starting right tackle job. Other than that, it’s a matter of choosing who the main backups will be.

I’m sure fields is feeling a lot better about the big guys protecting him.