What OL Ryan Bates brings to the Bears

The Chicago Bears traded a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills on Monday evening in exchange for interior offensive linemen Ryan Bates. Bates originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Bills at the conclusion of the 2019 draft. You’re probably aware by now the Bears signed Bates to an offer sheet in 2022 that was ultimately matched by the Bills. He’s been on Ryan Poles’ radar for quite some time.

We have agreed to terms on a trade for OL Ryan Bates, pending physical.

Welcome to Chicago, @52batesryan!

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 5, 2024

After playing sparingly as a rookie and sophomore in 2019 and 2020, Bates earned nearly 300 snaps as a third-year blocker in 2021. A utility lineman, Bates played 214 snaps at left guard, but also earned playing time as a sixth blocker (28), center (26), right guard (24), and right tackle (2).

Bates then served as the Bills’ primary right guard starter in 2022. The former Penn State standout played a career-high 945 snaps. Pro Football Focus assigned him a run-blocking grade of 59.0, pass-pro score of 61.5, combining for an overall grade of 61.8. The Bills decided to upgrade the position in 2023 by drafting O’Cyrus Torrence, and Bates was relegated to backup duties once again. Now deemed surplus, the Bills have decided to move on altogether.

With Cody Whitehair no longer with the Bears and Lucas Patrick expected to depart in next week’s free agency period, Bates adds necessary depth to the interior of Chicago’s offensive line. Poles should still target an upgrade at the center position, but if things don’t go according to plan, Bates offers the team a Plan B. Acquiring Bates was a shrewd move by the Bears.