The Chicago Bears traded a fifth-round pick for Ryan Bates right before the start of free agency. The move is a bit of a surprise as we awaited a bigger trade, but it also could have been expected because Ryan Poles already tried to acquire Bates once.
What do Chicago Bears fans need to know about the addition of Ryan Bates?
3. Ryan Bates only played 35 snaps last offseason
When the Chicago Bears make a trade, it gets fans all excited, but the reality of this trade is that it is likely for depth purposes. Bates got to play last season, but it was 35 snaps, and he did not start in any of those games.
All of those snaps are at center, so it will have Bears fans thinking that he is the answer at that position. While his experience in that area helps, Bates started in 19 games over his five years in the NFL, and most of them have come at guard.
Overall, Bates has 980 snaps at right guard, 334 snaps at left guard, 203 snaps at center, 95 snaps at left tackle, and 29 snaps at right tackle. He also has 51 snaps as an extra offensive lineman.
The reality is that his ability to play all five positions is valuable, but his being close to starter quality at guard is what the Bears need. Teven Jenkins has never played more than 11 games in a season, and Nate Davis has missed more than three games per season in each of the last three years. The team is going to need Bates to start at guard at some point. That is the main reason this signing was made.
2. The Chicago Bears have control of Ryan Bates for the next two years
The Chicago Bears traded a fifth-round pick, which can be valuable at this time of the year. It is a shot at a prospect you just saw at the NFL combine, and it is a four-year contract at rookie salary pricing. However, the Bears have a player they trust.
They also have a player who is under control beyond this upcoming season. Ryan Bates has a $5.4M cap hit this year. If things do not work out, the Bears could cut him after this year and would eat $2.6M in dead cap space in 2025. It is not a significant loss.
However, they would be on the books for $5.4M in 2025 if he did end up staying on the roster. The Bears paying $5M for a backup seems like a lot until you realize how much he may be playing.
More than that, the team was paying Lucas Patrick $5.3M just last year. Until Jenkins got hurt in training camp, the plan was for Patrick to be a backup. So, the Chicago Bears essentially replaced Patrick with an upgrade that they trust. That makes it worth a fifth-round pick, and the two years of team control, even though they are above rookie salary terms.
1. The Chicago Bears have an athletic offensive lineman
At this time of the year, everyone is focused on the NFL draft and measurables. So, how would Ryan Bates stack up? We know that the Chicago Bears like to take swings on athletic offensive linemen, and they are doing just that with Ryan Bates. Bates has a 9.56 RAS score.
Below, you can see his athletic profile.
Some of the best comparisons for Ryan Bates include Zack Martin and Isaac Seumalo. This shows the type of player the Chicago Bears are trying to get. They have had more success in the NFL. but both have been in power running offenses where they can use their athletic builds to get out in space and move.
Bates has leaned toward more of a gap scheme with the Buffalo Bills, but a more zone-heavy look in Chicago could pull the athletic profile out of him a little bit more. That could be what Ryan Poles sees and why he thinks this is such a fit.
The Chicago Bears took a chance on a backup, but he is athletic; they have signed beyond this year, and they are going to need him next year. It is a good deal.