Ryan Poles says Bears ‘have a long way to go’ in roster rebuild

Are the Chicago Bears better today than at the end of the 2022 season? Yes. Is the roster ready to compete for an NFC North title, though? Probably not.

At least, not according to GM Ryan Poles, who reviewed the team’s offseason approach and roster status at the NFL Owners Meetings on Monday.

“As a club, we’re happy with the progress that we’re making, but at the same time, we know we have a long ways we have to go to get this roster to where it needs to be,” Poles said via ChicagoBears.com.

“But what’s cool is we’ve used different methods to improve. With the trade, with DJ Moore and the draft picks this year but also for the future, I think it sets us up nicely. And then free agency, I really wanted to marry need and value, and where that came together. I thought we did that well.”

The Chicago Bears will have another opportunity to marry need and value in the 2023 NFL Draft. They should have their choice of offensive tackle, one of their biggest remaining needs, at No. 9.

The biggest addition this offseason is Moore, who Poles said will bring a playmaking element to the Bears” current group of pass-catchers.

“It’s just another playmaker on the field,” Poles said. “The one thing I really like is, we have three different types of receivers. We’ve got a guy [in Claypool] who’s a big body guy that can play inside/outside. We have Mooney who can separate and run vertically and make plays. Then DJ is just a strong, physical guy who can separate and make plays after the catch too. I like how everything’s set up. And then you throw Cole in the mix, too. [Fields] has weapons. We have to continue to work up front and get better there, too.”

If the goal this offseason was to surround Justin Fields with more weapons, acquiring Moore is a resounding mission accomplished. In the NFL Draft, it’ll be about keeping Fields upright.

Regardless of who the next Chicago Bears first-rounder is, this team is being built in Ryan Poles” vision.

“Again, on paper right now we’re better than where we were before,” Poles said, “but we all understand we’ve got a long way to go.”