Chicago Bears fans wouldn't have been blamed if they didn't think a whole lot of Ryan Poles as a general manager for the first few years of his tenure. The good moves could not cover up all the misses, and it was worth wondering if the team would ever become a consistent contender under his watch.
Today, Bears fans are happy to have Poles as the team's general manager. The 2025 draft class was filled with immediate contributors who would look like long-term fixtures on a roster that looks poised to sustain success. Head coach Ben Johnson and his staff deserve a share of credit for setting those players up to succeed, but Poles should not be overlooked as a key part of the process.
This is a big offseason for Poles, as he tries to find additional pieces to push the Bears to the next level of playoff success after winning the NFC North last season. That effort will include tough decisions, and as a result, some notable players may be gone.
Bears trade idea would turn Ryan Poles into an undeniable genius
In terms of potential offseason trade candidates for the Bears, the top names are easy to come up with, and they help fill out any list of trade ideas (DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Tremaine Edmunds). Particularly in the cases of Moore and Kmet, Poles is lined up extract solid value in a trade if things come together as expected.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has offered up another Bears' player who could be traded, with a landing spot and the return for said player.
Jaguars Receive:Â DT Gervon Dexter Sr.
Bears Receive:Â 2026 third-round pick (No. 81)
Ballentine outlined why the Jaguars would make such a move for Dexter.
The Jaguars were 18th in pressure percentage last season and 27th in sacks. That sack ranking would have been even worse without Arik Armstead posting 5.5 sacks.
"The problem is that Armstead is already 32 years old and the Jags need defensive line depth behind him. Austin Johnson and Matt Dickerson are both set to hit free agency. Losing either of them would hit the Jaguars interior depth."
"Trading for Gervon Dexter Sr. could give them a long-term replacement for Armstead and upgrade the unit as a whole."
Dexter is coming off setting a career-high with six sacks in 2025, as he provided some much-needed interior pass rush juice for the Bears. Over the last two seasons, he has 11 sacks, and Pro Football Focus has credited him with 83 quarterback pressures.
But that only tells half of Dexter's story. In two of his three seasons, he has posted a PFF run defense grade below 43.0, and those results have been backed by the eye test.
Ballentine pointed out why trading Dexter, as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, would make sense for the Bears.
"The 6'6", 24-year-old just put together his best season with six sacks, but the Bears are going to have to decide if they want to pay him."
"Considering all the money they already have invested in the defensive line, they might be willing to listen to offers. Jacksonville should be motivated to make a compelling pitch."
It's fair to assume the Bears do not intend to pay Dexter along the lines Ballentine hinted at. Securing his replacement in April's draft is in play, which says it all about his future in Chicago.
Read more: Bears offered as team who can rescue notable veteran from career-long purgatory
Dexter's upside is the selling point for any potential trade suitors. But if Poles can get a third-round pick out of someone, that would make the Bears' general manager a rare genius among his peers.