For all the talk that Ryan Poles had of the Chicago Bears taking back the NFC North and never giving it back when he became the team's general manager over three years ago, his vision may have finally come to fruition this offseason.
For the first time since Poles became the frontman of the Bears' football operations, the team entered an offseason where the expectation was that the moves made would be made in order to ensure a return to the playoffs in 2024.
Poles wasted no time striving for that goal. Not only did he acquire D'Andre Swift in the first week of free agency, but the Bears also traded for Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. Throw in the additions of tight end Gerald Everett and the trading of Justin Fields, and the Bears were in a position to put a bow on their offseason by selecting Caleb Williams with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Eight selections after that, the Bears added wide receiver Rome Odunze, capping off a near-perfect offseason for the team.
That is why it should be no surprise that the Bears received high remarks in Pro Football Focus' grades for the NFL's offseason.
"Chicago re-signed star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who felt like priority No. 1. They then signed a plethora of new players, including Kevin Byard, D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett.Pro Football Focus
The Bears continued to shake things up by trading away Justin Fields and trading for Keenan Allen for just a fourth-round pick. They then drafted franchise-caliber players in Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze and added young talent teeming with potential in Kiran Amegadjie and Austin Booker.
It was just the offseason they needed."
The Bears' offseason has put the onus on head coach Matt Eberflus. Many felt Eberflus should have been fired after the 2023 season, but after opting to retain their current head coach instead of any number of high-profile veteran coaches who were available in January, the Bears gave a vote of confidence to the former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator.
However, if the Bears fail to make the playoffs after the offseason that the team had, Eberflus undoubtedly will be on the hot seat.