it's pretty remarkable living in a world where the Chicago Bears have gotten some of the highest marks of the NFL offseason thus far, and we're not just talking about free agency.
From the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson to the job he did putting together his coaching staff, and then to what Ryan Poles has been able to accomplish through the first wave of free agency, the fan base can stand on true hope for once.
Out of all the moves Chicago has made, there have been a few, of course, that stand out. But, what about the players impacted who were already on the roster? Some players should be ecstatic, while others might be more than just a little worries.
Bears' winners from the first wave of free agency
Caleb Williams, QB
The most obvious answer of them all, Caleb Williams is a big winner. He saw his general manager fill all three offensive line positions in no time. And, Poles didn't just throw wet spaghetti at a wall in doing so. No, he went out and traded for the best guard in the league, traded for another former Pro Bowl guard and signed the best available free agent center.
Williams should be smiling from ear to ear.
D'Andre Swift, RB
D'Andre Swift is a winner, for now. He's still on the roster, for now. The Bears have not signed a free agent running back.
That could change in a hurry after the draft, though. This is a fluid situation to monitor and one that could flip from winning to losing in a moment's time.
Kyler Gordon, CB
Because the Bears chose not to bring back linebacker Jack Sanborn under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, this cemented the fact that the team is invested in Kyler Gordon and how much he's going to continue being on the field. That one simple act of allowing Sanborn to leave also implies the Bears are going to get an extension done with Gordons sooner or later.
Bears' losers from first wave of free agency
Tyler Scott, WR
The signings of both Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay are not a good omen for former fourth-round pick Tyler Scott, who had previously gotten some action on special times and rarely on offense.
Dominique Robinson, DE
For a player who was already on the roster bubble last offseason, and at a position that was clearly thin in Chicago, Dominique Robinson is about as good as gone after the team signed Dayo Odeyingbo. Forget letting DeMarcus Walker go, this team is not done adding depth at the pass rusher position and Robinson should be very uncomfortable.
Ryan Bates, IOL
It would have been a total Bears move to address two of the three interior offensive line spots, this offseason, and put one last-ditch bit of faith into Ryan Bates in filling the third starting spot by calling him "good enough."
But, that's not what the Bears did. Bates is not close to being a starter and is actually closer to being off the roster depending on what the Bears do in the draft. Chicago can save $3.5 million by cutting him.