3 Free Agent do-overs for the Chicago Bears in 2023

When we look at the offseason moves of the Chicago Bears this year, there isn't much to complain about. With the help of the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Ryan Poles was able to lockdown a true WR1 for Justin Fields to target. The connection between DJ Moore and Justin Fields is already blossoming. Poles was also able to secure more draft capital and still land one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the draft.

Poles tore the previous roster down and has started building it back up in his own vision. He made his first multi-year contract extension yesterday when he signed Cole Kmet to a four-year, $50 million dollar contract extension. Who will come next? Will Jaylon Johnson, Darnell Mooney or Chase Claypool receive an extension? What about Trevis Gipson?

Although Ryan Poles has done a great job on paper, we will need to see how it plays out on the field. Even though I like the moves Ryan Poles has made, I can't help but think that there were a couple of other moves that would have been better. Let's look at three free-agent do-overs that would have made the Chicago Bears even better in 2023.

Chicago Bears should have signed Rock Ya-Sin and cut Kindle Vildor

I am still a little surprised that Kindle Vildor was not an offseason casualty. He had an up-and-down season in Matt Eberflus' defensive system. He recorded his first career interception, but he also gave up a 65.8% completion percentage and a 110.1 QB rating when being targeted. His two years prior were not much better. If Chicago were to have cut Vildor, they would have saved over $2 million dollars. Rock Ya-Sin signed with the Baltimore Ravens for $4 million. Ryan Poles could have used the money saved by cutting Vildor and used it to sign Ya-Sin.

Ya-Sin was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2019. He played under Matt Eberflus for three years and contributed consistently. Ya-Sin recorded two interceptions and two forced fumbles during those three years. He allowed a 62.8% completion percentage on average when targeted, but in his third year in Indianapolis, he only allowed 53.3% of his targets to be completed. Ya-Sin would have been an upgrade to the backup cornerback spot.

Now for a free agent on offense Ryan Poles should have targeted instead.