Ryan Poles is in his second season as the general manager of the Chicago Bears. He has made plenty of moves since taking charge of the front office, including several trades involving draft picks.
Before the 2022 NFL Draft, he traded away All-Pro pass-rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers for a second round pick. Before the 2023 NFL Draft, he gave up the first overall pick for a haul from the Carolina Panthers that included several draft selections and wide receiver D.J. Moore.His moves have been hit or miss, but there’s one decision that has left him with a negative reputation among fans and national media.
Ryan Poles hates second round draft picks
Ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, Poles traded away All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith for a late second round pick, yet that wasn’t the worst move he made at the deadline. He proceeded to use the Bears’ own second rounder to acquire wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Claypool wore out his welcome with the Steelers, but Poles gave up the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 draft to get him. Claypool ended up playing just 10 games for the Bears, producing next to nothing, before being flipped to the Miami Dolphins this year for a sixth round selection.
Chicago Bears trade for Montez Sweat
Now, Poles has once again disposed of a high second round draft pick, this time to bring in pass-rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders.
As it stands, the pick would be the 35th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears definitely needed an EDGE who can pressure quarterbacks, but it’s a high price to pay – given the state of the Bears’ roster – for a player who’s yet to reach double digit sacks in a season.
Add the fact that Sweat’s contract runs out after 2023, and the Bears have put themselves in a precarious spot. They can’t let Sweat leave in free agency, because if they do then the trade is an abject disaster. Sweat’s agent will be aware of that and get every last penny out of the Bears for Sweat’s upcoming contract, which was going to be expensive anyway since he’s having the best season of his career this year.
The Bears are essentially getting a headstart on free agency by making this move, but Poles liberally giving away high second round draft picks has left many puzzled.
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Marca
