Chicago Bears: Poles Continues To Deal In Free Agency

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles continues to deal. After kicking off the NFL free agency he signs two more players to strengthen the roster.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles continues to deal. After setting the foundation for the rebuild last offseason some fans were upset. There weren’t any big names signed.

This offseason, however, Poles has the assets to go after players. That is exactly what he is doing.

Earlier in the day, the Chicago Bears agreed to terms with linebacker T.J. Edwards. That made the linebackers unit an improved one.

Poles was not finished with that unit, however. He plucked arguably the top free agent linebacker available, Tremaine Edmunds. The team and Edmunds agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal, with $50 million guaranteed. It is the biggest deal for an inside linebacker in the NFL.

However, with Edwards also being an inside linebacker, and with the Bears’ defense in a 4-3 scheme, one of them would need to move over.

That would likely be Edmunds. He is far more athletic and quicker to start at the weakside spot. In defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ defensive scheme, Edmunds should thrive.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler speculated before free agency started that he could get close to $20 million.

A spotlight should be on Tremaine Edmunds, who will test the linebacker market in a big way. His age (24), impressive size (6-foot-5, 250) and Pro Bowl background prompt the question: Will he push for $20 million annually? Some teams think he might get close.

Edmunds didn’t get the $20 million but came close with $18 million. WIth him, the Chicago Bears’ linebackers unit is young and athletic now. Poles quickly turned a liability into an asset. Additionally, they have the option of bringing Nicholas Morrow back and move him to the strong side.

Last season, fans were upset about losing Smith. Poles traded Smith away and instead of signing one player for $20 million he now has Edwards, Edmunds, and Jack Sanborn for about $25 million. They also have the second-round and fifth-round picks they received in return for Smith.

Offensive line improves but more questions are raised

Poles made another deal that improved the offensive line. He and the Bears agreed to a deal with Nate Davis. Davis signed for $30 million over three years with $19.5 million guaranteed.

Davis was the Tennessee Titans’ third-round pick in 2019. In 2022, he was the 17th-ranked guard among the 85 who played 270 snaps or more.

Davis’ signing raises more questions. Many experts expected the Bears to find a tackle. He could still go out and get one, but the fact that he picked up a guard is interesting.

The Bears have Cody Whitehair at left guard and Tevin Jenkins at right guard. It wasn’t considered an area of need. Now the question is who gets shipped out.

Jenkins isn’t exactly the favorite player among the coaches. In 2022, he lost his left tackle spot last offseason. He moved over to right tackle but did not make it there; He finally moved to right guard and played well. However, he clashed with the coaches and complained even as he played well. If the Bears part ways with Whitehair, that likely means Jenkins moves again.

The situation with Whitehair is different. While the Bears had the highest cap space available this offseason. With each signing, though, that space shortens. Letting go of Whitehair creates more cap space.

If the Bears trade or release Whitehair with a pre-June 1 designation they save about $5.8 million. If they do it with a post-June 1 designation they save even more, $9.9 million.

That is a big chunk of cash saved. The money could be used to plug a hole somewhere else on the roster.

An already interesting offseason is even more interesting. Stay tuned to see what else Poles does this offseason.