CBS Sports ranks Bears’ offseason among NFL’s five best

The Chicago Bears had a lot of work to do this offseason. And as general manager Ryan Poles has repeatedly said, it’s impossible to fix all of the roster’s problems in one free agency and NFL Draft cycle. But if the 2023 offseason indicates how quickly Poles can flip this team, it won’t be long before the Bears are back in Super Bowl contention.

The Bears have earned high marks across NFL media for their roster overhaul this year. In fact, CBS Sports rated Poles’ efforts as fourth-best in the league. He earned an “A.”

“Committing $90M+ to linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards was an odd use of resources considering they just dealt the superior Roquan Smith because of his price tag, but there’s no denying this team is much better across the board,” CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin wrote. “QB Justin Fields finally has a legit No. 1 WR in D.J. Moore thanks to their trade down from the No. 1 pick. OG Nate Davis should help up front. And both RB D’Onta Foreman and TE Robert Tonyan should be rugged red-zone options. Getting a potential Day 1 starting RT in rookie Darnell Wright is a plus as well.”

Chicago Bears took a balanced approach to 2023 offseason

The best thing about the Chicago Bears’ offseason is that it hasn’t been about just one player. Indeed, Moore is the big-ticket addition who’s expected to make highlight-reel plays in 2023, but the upgrades have come in all shapes, sizes and roles.

The Bears added at least three starters in free agency and potentially several more with their early-round draft picks. If fourth-round running back Roschon Johnson becomes a starter, it’ll be a draft class we look back on in a few years as a turning point in Chicago’s fortunes.

Poles’ high grades are valid. He’s done his part to level up the talent around Fields, to give coach Matt Eberflus the kind of player his defense requires, and to keep the roster robust in young, contract-controlled talent. Now, it’s up to the coaches — and players — to do their part.