Chicago Bears Sign Cole, Add Impact Player On Special Teams

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles continues to add to the roster by signing linebacker Dylan Cole. He adds more toughness to the special teams.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles continues to overhaul the roster. He entered free agency with the fattest wallet in the NFL in terms of salary cap space and he is showing it.

Just before the start of the new league year Poles pulled the trigger on a mega-deal that traded the top overall pick in exchange for the ninth picks, the 61st pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick.

Additionally, the acquisition was cemented by bringing in wide receiver D.J. Moore. He becomes a big target for quarterback Justin Fields. His presence comes with a $20.1 million cap hit this season.

After that, Poles added linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, offensive lineman Nate Davis, quarterback P.J. Walker, defensive linemen Andrew Billings and DeMarcus Walker, running backs D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer, and tight end Robert Tonyan.

The signings look to make the team much stronger in 2023 than it was in 2022. Poles is not done yet, however. He now signed another linebacker, Dylan Cole.

Cole is a six-year player who played his first four seasons with the Houston Texans before spending his last two with the Tennessee Titans. He gives the Bears added depth at linebacker.

Cole played in 61 games, starting nine of them. He has 147 career tackles and 2 sacks. Eight of his career starts came last season. He recorded 64 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a sack.

The #Bears are signing former #Titans LB and special teamer Dylan Cole, source said, after his visit yesterday. He had 8 starts and 64 tackles in Tennessee last season.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2023

Cole’s value is higher on special teams

While Cole adds depth to the linebacker unit, his biggest contribution will be on special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, his 91.2 grade on special teams over the past two seasons is the highest in the league.

One of the first things Poles said about the team was that he wanted to add toughness. He gets that in Cole. He has a high motor and does a good job of tackling. He has a downhill running type of attitude and that helps on special teams.

Poles promised to build a complete roster and not just one with a couple of stars and not much behind them.

So far this offseason, he is doing exactly that. While he hasn’t signed bona fide superstars, he acquired very good talent. He has high-quality starters throughout the roster. Also, he is getting quality backups.

Poles still is not finished with the overhaul, of course. There are still holes in the roster. This might not be a team that competes for a playoff spot right away but the team is moving in the right direction. It is already an improved roster. With the moves he made to strengthen the roster and the additional draft picks (with more surely to come), the future is bright.