Ryan Poles has been a master at constructing the Chicago Bears' roster

Fear not the release of the Bears’ injury report this week.

While Jaquan Brisker, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon had the bye week to hopefully get healthy and overcome their various ailments, Ryan Poles has built depth into the Bears’ secondary. 

Look at the stat sheet from the shellacking the Bears put on the Jaguars in London. Jaylon Jones had 10 tackles, Josh Blackwell had a pass defensed and an interception, and Elijah Hicks had five tackles, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery. 

With big shoes to fill, the Bears already potent secondary had a transition to three new players that was as smooth as a fall evening stroll down the Chicago Riverwalk.

How Ryan Poles built the Chicago Bears' depth

When it comes to signing an undrafted free agent, Poles made a smart move with Jones; go to the SEC. 

A third-year pro from Ole Miss, Jones saw plenty of action on kickoff return for the Rebels. Although his playing time has been sporadic with the Bears, there’s nothing like the chance to play in the most competitive college football league as preparation for the next level. 

There’s plenty of diamonds in the rough that play between the hedges every Saturday in the south and Jones didn’t disappoint with his opportunity against the Jags. While he’s seen plenty of special teams action, Jones has been a tackling machine in the extended playing time he’s received. 

It’s also important to scout depth on other teams. Specifically, successful teams that have players on their roster with playing time could be blocked. 

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles, Blackwell arrived in the NFL out of Duke, the hoops hotbed on Tobacco Road isn’t exactly a haven for future football pros.

But Poles and a team of scouts found a player who fit the Bears’ defensive mold and rose to the occasion in his biggest opportunity. 

As a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hicks had something his counterparts didn’t; draft-pick armor. Like the main character in a TV show - Game of Thrones or the Three Body Problem notwithstanding - the biggest stars just don’t get knocked off because they are way too invested in the plot lines. 

Teams tend to give draft picks every opportunity possible to succeed before cutting their bait. Look no further than the quarterback situation for our beloved team over the last 40 years. 

But, Hicks took his opportunity to be more than a special teams player and stuffed the stat box against Jacksonville.

It’s an indication of a healthy roster. There are more than competent backups waiting to fill in for an injury, to offer competition in camp and at practice, and to step in if a star player’s price tag becomes too unmanageable via the salary cap. 

The Great Heist, the trade of the No.1 pick to Carolina in 2023, is already a legendary move that could cripple the Panthers for a decade and enrich the Chicago roster.

And it appears Poles hit on his most franchise altering move by selecting Caleb Willimas No. 1 overall. 

But, these little additions, that filled out a roster and rounded out any shortcomings deserve high praise as well.