Most Impactful Bears of 2022: No. 5 Ryan Poles

Poles came to Chicago with his vision for how he wants to build this team. And that started with him tearing the foundation down and starting anew. He did that by trading away players that didn’t factor into the future (Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn) in return for draft capital, as well as releasing expensive, aging veterans and. While the Bears accrued $84.9 million in dead cap, it was always about building for 2023.

When Poles joined the Bears, he stressed the importance of building through the draft. He turned five picks into 11, which included some significant contributors in safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Kyler Gordon, left tackle Braxton Jones and punter Trenton Gill. Not to mention, he found a stud in undrafted free agency with linebacker Jack Sanborn.

But Poles wasn’t without his questionable moves, which included trading what’s now the 32nd pick in the draft for wide receiver Chase Claypool. While Claypool didn’t work out in 2022, the move could wind up a solid one if he becomes a significant contributor in 2023. There’s been plenty of criticism for how Poles failed to surround Fields with a competent supporting cast, including underwhelming receivers and an offensive line that struggled mightily keeping him upright.