The talk of the offseason, both internally and externally, was that Ryan Poles constructed a Chicago Bears' roster that was not only going to be littered with talent but also one that should have the Bears back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.
There is plenty to like about the Bears' moves this past offseason. The additions of D'Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze have given the Bears a combination of offensive playmakers that they haven't had in their organization's history. Despite the struggles to open his NFL career, Caleb Williams remains a quarterback filled with potential.
It was easy to see why the Bears' situation was considered one of the best a rookie a quarterback has ever had. What the offseason doesn't account for is what happens when your players in the trenches get hit in the mouth. Specifically, for the Bears, their offensive line has been bullied through the first two games of the season and it has many wondering what the team was evaluating during Training Camp.
Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was among those critical of Poles' approach to the offensive line.
When asked about the #Bears' offensive line, Bill Belichick takes shots at Ryan Poles' style of roster construction and the team's play calling. pic.twitter.com/tXFifmACbX
— Barroom Network | Aldo Gandia (@BarroomNetwork) September 16, 2024
Bill Belichick continues to take direct shots at the Chicago Bears .
This isn't the first time this season that Belichick has pumped the brakes on the Bears. During the preseason, Belichick wasn't buying the hype of Williams. Admittedly, some of Belichick's reservations feel like he is still salty about being pantsed by Chicago in 2022. But, there is some truth to what Belichick is saying. The Bears ignored the offensive line this offseason and it's been a glaring liability to open the 2024 season.
Belichick's takedown of Poles' roster construction had led to a question of whether or not the Bears should have taken Rome Odunze with the ninth overall selection in the 2024 or targeted an offensive lineman. It's an easy question to ask considering how the offensive line has looked to open the season but it's not one that is worth answering.
The issue is not the Bears drafting Odunze. The issue is that the Bears did not prioritize spending on offensive line upgrades this past offseason. Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates are not upgrades. They are taking one man's trash and thinking it is gold. That trash is now stinking up what otherwise was a strong offseason for the Bears.