An offensive lineman at Boston College who signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2008, Poles understands how that type of mentality can spread up front.
“Just doing it myself, that’s contagious,” Poles said. “Other people either have got to go with it or you just don’t fit in. That’s going to improve the rest of the group, and we’re going to keep adding guys like that.”
After Patrick signed with the Bears, Poles described him as a “glue guy in the locker room and on the field” who will “add leadership to our offensive line and raise the standard of how the Chicago Bears will play with grit, tenacity and finish.”
Patrick originally signed with the Packers in 2016 as an undrafted free agent—after participating in Green Bay’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. He eventually developed into a full-time starter, opening 15 games in 2020 and 13 in 2021. The Duke product mostly played right guard in 2020 and center in 2021.
Poles confirmed Monday that Patrick will start at center for the Bears.
“I do see him as a center,” Poles said. “He has an ability to play guard, but I think the best position is center. Always when you’ve got guys that can be flexible, you might have to address some things. But that’s where he’ll start out and we’ll see how it goes.”