Chicago Bears offseason preview

A look at what Ryan Poles should do with the Bears this offseason

Logan Bland, Sports columnist

Bad is a good term to use when talking of the 2022 Chicago Bears. They finished an abysmal 3-14, a 10-game losing streak, last in the division and they were the worst team in the entire NFL. But with being bad there comes a good. 

The Bears, being the worst team in the NFL, managed to secure the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. But before we dive into that we must start at the re-signing period and cuts. 

The Bears have an absurd amount of cap space to spend if they are pleased to do so. The free agency list for the Bears is quite lackluster. Running back David Montgomery headlines the list.

In my honest opinion you do not spend a dime on the expiring contracts with the exception of long snapper Pat Scales. The Bears already have Khalil Herbert as a budding star in the backfield and they also have converted wideout Velus Jones into a back as well. Not to mention it is so easy to find, draft, and replace a running back. 

To the 2023 free agency class. Wide receiver, O Line, and D Line have to be a priority. Unfortunately for the Bears, this year’s FA class is a doozy. But let’s name off all the players that have to be targeted anyways. The five receivers that should be targeted: DJ Chark, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Myers, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman. I would love to explain each, but I do have a page limit. 

The 5 O-Lineman that should be targeted: Orlando Brown, Nick Gates, Isaiah Wynn, Jawaan Taylor, George Fant

The D-Lineman who should be targeted: Yannick Ngakoue, Da’ron Payne, done. End of list. If you are Ryan Poles, you HAVE to throw as much money at Da’ron Payne as he wants. He is young and can be a true game wrecker. 

Now onto the draft. There shouldn’t be much explaining here. Get the house for the No. 1 pick. Get the house. For starters you have to find a way to get an early second to make up for the Chase Claypool mistake. But anything less than 3 firsts is a failure. Ryan Poles is an NFL GM for a reason. This is a once in a career decision. Justin Fields is still very much unproven as a passer. You want him to be your franchise guy? Go the extra mile.