The 2022 season isn’t even over yet, but the Chicago Bears just lost out on two potential free-agent offensive linemen. When looking over the 2023 free agent list, two names stood out as targets Ryan Poles and the Bears should have been planning on pushing to sign next offseason. The Bears’ offensive line is not great. They are a better run-blocking team than a pass-blocking team — but they aren’t great at either. With Teven Jenkins’ future looking murky, and the rest of the line looking pedestrian, the team needed almost a complete overhaul for 2023.
In a recent podcast, my podcast host and I broke down free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. We put our general manager hats on and made roster decisions, then a full seven-round mock draft based on the moves we made. Unfortunately, our two big free-agent signings on the offensive line are now, no longer on the market.
The Chicago Bears lost out on two potential free-agent offensive linemen today
It’s not unheard of to see free agents re-sign with their respective teams at this point in the season. That said, I am a little shocked both of them signed at this point. One is coming off a rookie contract and the other could have tested free agency for a second time. Even though the Bears might have over $100 million available in salary cap if players aren’t available it won’t do them any good. Let’s hope some of the other big names squeak through and aren’t re-signed or franchise-tagged.