We are three weeks away from the draft, there is still time for teams to pick up some veteran help but at this period is more of a game of patience, the big splashed are probably done for this year, small offers will be dealt to players and leave them to decide who they will pick. Now teams will be more focused on their draft boards to upgrade their roster based on where they were able to fill needs these past days in free agency where the Chicago Bears started hot but rapidly cooled down, in a good way.
Ryan Poles hit free agency hard by promising DT Larry Ogunjobi a big contract and then slowed down like if he remembered what he said on his introduction day stating he would focus on waves 2 and 3 of free agency and building the team through the draft, the Ogunjobi singing didn't really point to the direction of what he said, I would understand if this move was made by petition of HC Matt Eberflus who gives much importance to the DT 3Tech position but honestly I preferred the end result. After Ogunjobi failed his physical, Poles decide to back off from signing him to then quickly land Justin Jones as the backup plan coming on a cheaper deal similar to the other signings Poles has done after this one. Honestly I really like what he has done, its not that I don't like having all-pro free agents signed or traded to the team but what I have liked is the consistency of the plan, or you go all in or you wait it out, Poles waited it out and "missed on some starters" but ultimately signed some players that have good traits and have flashed on their limited chances but haven't got their shot at the spotlight to show if they can do it consistently, they were given "prove it" deals so when this next season is over whoever did shine and fit the scheme can get paid with the cap cash created and saved for the 2023 season along with all the drafted and undrafted FA rookies they will get from this draft and the ones to come in 2023, this has all the looks of a team that will be build by the draft if all goes well with them selecting the right people, if the roster gets to a point where its 2 or 3 players away from being "complete" then a big splash in the offseason via free agency or trade could be the better option.
Nicholas Morrow, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Dane Cruikshank, Byron Pringle, Equanimous St. Brown, Lucas Patrick, Darrynton Evans and Khari Blasingame are 28 years or younger, some have a starting season or two in their belt but none of the signed FAs this year have been a repeating starter on their team for the exception of Justin Jones, these players are on the roster to push the other teammates and compete for the starting job. Dakota Dozier and Trevor Siemian are the oldest of the signed FAs and will be counted to give experience and depth to their positions. The 2022 Bears roster is a mystery that the new regime of coaches will let us know what it will become in time, they are still in the process of knowing what they have on their hands and what can they do with them to make the team succeed, giving big money to players when you still don't know the direction of your team doesn't seem to be the correct path and that is why I like what Poles is doing. There is still work to be done, the roster seems to be missing some personnel while looking from the outside, although its not far from looking like a team, if it can compete or not its still too early to say.
Poles talked highly of the importance of the OL and as of this moment he has only brought two bodies to the unit in Patrick and Dozier. Patrick was one player I did think could compete for Whitehairs LG job or replace Sam Mustipher, the latter seems to be the case and it was a big need to address, Dozier will probably end backing up Whitehair. The rave from fans of getting a legit tackle in FA did make me scratch my head, I wouldn't have minded if a serviceable T was signed to backup or compete but I didn't see the big need of bringing someone that would cost big money like Terron Armstead or La'el Collins, not yet at least. There is still a question mark on Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom but, like the FAs signed this year, they showed big promise and talent to adapt to a mediocre game plan, Borom had good performances against elite edge competition and Jenkins played very well for someone who had back surgery and no training camp to mesh with his teammates. Not getting Ryan Bates from Buffalo did sting, his limited play showed talent and versatility but more importantly it left the Bears with no one with promise to play RG, a mistake that Ryan Pace made by not addressing depth to positions that where questionable a year prior, Matt Nagy added to the problem by not developing players and not giving rookies a chance to play and see if there was growth, hopefully Poles can continue bringing more players with a chip on their shoulder and a need to prove themselves while Matt Eberflus can get the best out of them.
The RBs sadly lost the presence of Tarik Cohen who just wasn't showing improvement from his injury 2 years ago. Surprisingly a FB was brought in, Blasingame is raw but its been years since I've seen the Bears have a legit FB on the roster and it should be interesting to see, no one should be more excited than David Montgomery. Evans is very inexperience and the departure of Damien Williams opens the door for Khalil Herbert to finally take the backup spot, its his to lose in training camp.
The WRs and TEs group had the most loses on the offensive side, Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet were really lonely for a while but Dazz Newsome, Isaiah Coulter and Nsimba Webster where retained although having little to show for their first year with the team. Jesper Horsted comes back and should get a legit shot of seeing the field more this year. Newcomers Pringle and St. Brown bring speed and size to the group, they were situational players on their previous teams so this is their chance to prove their worth. BREAKING NEWS Ryan Griffin just got signed, surprised he got paid that much for someone that wasn't a regular starter (not really, but almost cracked the minimum to hit against the compensatory picks), looks to be Poles version of Jimmy Graham but much cheaper, hope he doesn't get important snaps away from Kmet and Horstead.
What to say about the QB besides there will be no more controversy, no more waiting, Justin Fields is the starter from here on out, Trevor Siemian is Eberflus pick to back him up, Nick Foles is here just for the ride until Poles says otherwise, Ryan Willis can come too.
The defense might just take a while to be what Chicago is accustomed to see unfortunately, but its a sacrifice the fans will have to endure for the hope of finally getting to see a proper Bears offense on the field. The DL is not to shabby, its not what it once was with the departure of Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack traded to get needed cap depth for the future, still veteran Robert Quinn will be here to lead the squad along with pass rushers Muhammad and Trevis Gipson with Jones and Tonga plugging the middle while having some solid depth, opposing QBs and RBs wont have it that easy.
LBs Roquan Smith and Morrow will lead the group, the Sam position is a question mark (if they even use it) with maybe Caleb Johnson and Ledarius Mack going at it for the spot, there is depth concern here that maybe a late pick or UDFAs can help fill up.
It gets more perplexing with the DBs, Jaylon Johnson will be CB1 with already proven Kindle Vildor not being the answer at CB2, Duke Shelley should probably stay put for dime and quarter duties, the real question is where to start Thomas Graham? let him compete for CB2 or try him at NB which is a position Eberflus places high importance in his scheme, with Artie Burns gone there isn't anyone on the roster to count on for competition. Safeties is in the same situation, Eddie Jackson will try to get back to his old pro bowl self with the help of Eberflus, DeAndre Houston-Carson was brought back which is good but as good as he is I really don't see him as a SS, right now I would believe its Cruikshank's job although right now I see them both as situational dime and quarter DBs, training camp or even the draft may tell another story. BREAKING NEWS Tavon Young got signed (and is also 28 years old), a experienced NB which makes me think that Graham is going to be tried outside, it lowers the need of picking a corner high in the draft but getting one later for depth would be ideal.
The three amigos are no more with the departure of Pat O'Donnell, for now Ryan Winslow will take his place. Patrick Scales and Cairo Santos are back thank you very much.
The 3rd wave of FA will merely help the roster reach the 85-90 player number, but I don't expect a starter to come from it, its more likely to get someone to fight for a starting job at the draft. Needs on draft day have to be pointing more at filling in the RG and WR positions in that order, there might be a run in WRs but it looks to be loaded enough to get proper help in that area later, while increasing the chance to protect the QB is never a bad idea to attack it early. Bolstering the offense should be priority one, give Fields as much opportunity to prove he is the future, getting depth at C and T would be ideal, some diversity at TE or RB should help Luke Getsy get creative. Defense might be missing a SS, depth at CB/NB and LB are palpable but depth all around is needed, it may be too much to attack this season even if trading down would be ideal its not a given that good trades will be available, whatever they can get will have to do to evaluate and keep filling the roster next season.
