Chicago Bears Mailbag: How will Ryan Poles fix the offensive line if Trey Smith goes elsewhere?

And just like that, the Chicago Bears’ offseason is off and running.

On Friday, in the front office alone, Chicago promoted Matt Feinstein to vice president of football administration and learned Ian Cunningham would be sticking around for at least one more rodeo after the Jaguars passed on the assistant general manager for their GM vacancy.

Then, the team got a head start on their cap savings before free agency, releasing tight end Gerald Everett and defensive end DeMarcus Walker. The cuts moved the Bears up to fourth-most in cap space with a projected $74.7 million.

Before we get into the weeds of the offseason—next week’s NFL Scouting Combine followed quickly by free agency, then the draft and suddenly, workouts—I thought I’d answer some lingering questions about what we can expect from Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson and company.

Thanks to everybody who submitted questions for this week’s Bears Mailbag!

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How do we know Trey Smith fits into Ben Johnson’s scheme?

Thanks to Paul S. for the question!

The reality is that we don’t really know and we won’t until the Bears actually pursue his services in free agency. But you have to think that a 6-foot-6, 320 lb interior lineman with the skillset that Smith possesses fits just about any scheme.

His run-blocking is next level (ranked No. 10 by PFF), which is not only a major aspect the Bears were missing last season, but also something that’s been a focal point in Johnson’s offenses.

His pass protection has raised some valid concerns, but nothing so glaring that screams ‘red flag’. I still assume the Bears will show significant interest, especially with the ability to go above and beyond, thanks to their cap space, but there’s almost certainly a bidding war on deck for the two-time Super Bowl champion’s services.

This leads to the next question…

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If Trey Smith doesn’t make it to free agency, who will the Bears sign?

Thanks to Scott M. for the question!

I think we’ve reached a level of certainty that Smith is heading to free agency and will not receive the franchise tag from the Chiefs. Now, if Travis Kelce announces his retirement before the tag deadline next week, that could theoretically change things. But assuming the superstar tight end doesn’t hang ’em up, Smith should hit the free-agent pool.

The bigger worry should instead be: what if the Bears are outbid?

Mekhi Becton makes sense as a likely ‘within-reason’ candidate. But he’s also somebody who has a lot more bad tape than good at the pro level.

Luckily for Becton, most of his good film is from last year, but that might work against him and scare off potential suitors. Why? I think Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland could turn me into an All-Pro caliber player on the line.

I’m not opposed to seeking an older veteran as long as there’s a plan to replace them down the road, either. Brandon Scherff and Kevin Zeitler fit that mold.

The point is, there are good options around; it’s just a matter of whether or not Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson can find them.

This leads to the next question…

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How would you grade Ryan Poles’ ability to evaluate talent on the offensive line?

Thanks for the great question, Rich E.

It’s tough to give him anything above a C right now, no? An argument could certainly be made that it should actually be lower, but I think a C is appropriate.

Poles has drafted six offensive linemen in three drafts since being hired in 2022 by Chicago. Among the six are starters Braxton Jones, who was a fifth-rounder in Poles’ first draft, and Darnell Wright, who was selected No. 10 overall in 2023.

The other four?

• Zachary Thomas, T, drafted in 2022 (R6, P186)
• Doug Kramer, G/C/FB, drafted in 2022 (R6, P207)
• Ja’Tyre Carter, T/G, drafted in 2022 (R7, P226)
• Kiran Amegadjie, T, drafted in 2024 (R3, P75)

Thomas never played a snap in the regular season for the Bears but has made his way around the NFL over the past three seasons. Kramer was used as a last-resort lineman last season, making a bigger impact out of the backfield (maybe not a good thing). Carter hasn’t played a snap in the NFL since 2023.

Amegadjie is a project, but one Poles appears committed to, at least for now. The rookie struggled in the extremely limited time he actually saw the field and dealt with several injuries throughout the year. It didn’t help that his arrival to the practice field was delayed by a quadriceps surgery from an injury suffered in college, but Poles knew the baggage and still believed enough to take him with the team’s third-round pick last year.

Then there’s Poles’ free agent acquisitions, which leaves plenty to be desired. Coleman Shelton was an undersized, ‘by-committee’ option who won the center job in camp by default due to an injury to Ryan Bates.

Nate Davis, who was Chicago’s highest-paid lineman last season, was cut after Week 11. Davis played in 15 out of 27 possible games, starting just 13 before his release in the second year of his three-year contract.

Wright’s the best lineman Poles has acquired in Chicago, hands down. However, 2024 was still somewhat of a letdown in terms of growth and development for the second-year tackle. I think he’ll reach another level in year three, but concern is certainly warranted.

Concern should absolutely be applied to Poles, too. The Bears have to get this right for Caleb Williams, and the general manager hasn’t shown an ability to do that yet. Maybe having Ben Johnson around will help.

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What are the odds Darnell Wright moves to the left side and the Bears draft a right tackle?

Slim. +1500. 15:1. Why? My gut tells me that Braxton Jones, despite needing ankle surgery after suffering a brutal fracture in Week 15, is still the guy in that spot protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside when the 2025 regular season rolls around.

Williams seems to have a good connection with Jones, and his play hasn’t put left tackle at the top of the priority list. If anything, I think if you hear a tackle’s name called on night one of the NFL Draft in April, it’ll be the rookie who gets moved inside.

Wright also struggled just enough (maybe plateaued is a better way to phrase it) to make me think the Bears would benefit from letting him excel again where he’s most comfortable on the line before throwing him on the left side.

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If Keenan Allen walks in free agency, who could the Bears draft to replace him?

Thank you, Dylan B., for the question. I appreciate it!

If the Bears want to use their third-rounder on a wide receiver, Isaiah Bond out of Texas is an intriguing option. He’s a bit undersized, but his run-after-catch skills are some of the best in the draft. He might fit last year’s Bears team better because of that, but RAC was a strength of every Lions receiver under Ben Johnson (and Antwaan Randle-El).

In the later rounds, maybe I’m partial because of my Illinois fandom, but I love Pat Bryant’s game. He’s physical to the ball, has a knack for finding the end zone, and he’s got a large, solid frame, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 lbs.

For selfish reasons, I’ll roll with Bryant, both because I’m not sure WR3 is what the Bears should attack in the early-to-mid rounds and because of the Illini connection. I-L-L.

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Where do the Bears pivot if Will Campbell & Kelvin Banks Jr. are off the board before Chicago’s pick?

That’s a great question, Brennan L.

The honest truth? I don’t know. For two reasons:

1. I’m not sure their plan is Campbell or Banks Jr. even if they’re available.
2. How far might they trade back if either of the two is the plan?

There are simply too many variables to confidently answer, but if the SEC products are both off the board, Josh Simmons from Ohio State is logically the next-best offensive lineman still available. However, my gut tells me Poles and company would either pivot to defense, especially if somehow Mason Graham has fallen (he won’t), or trade back.

I don’t see Ashton Jeanty coming off the board at No. 10 unless another team has the pick. Would it be fun? Absolutely! But it’s a deep class for running backs, and the Bears can find great value in the second or third round.

We’ll see how everybody looks at the combine this week, but if I had to guess, it’s more likely Campbell and Banks are both available for the Bears at No. 10 than the alternative.

Then again, what do I know? Looking for better draft analysis? Check out the draft guide for Diehards from ALLCITY’s Draft Expert Fran Duffy HERE.

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Who is one free agent and one draft pick Bears fans like that you want to avoid?

Thank you, Gary R. I appreciate the question.

I’m a pretty easy target when it comes to talking me into a player working out in Chicago before they take a snap. However, I’m not sure I’m as rah-rah about the idea of bringing Khalil Mack back to the Bears.

Mack is still uber-talented, but he wasn’t reliable (enough) in his first go-around in Chicago, and he turns 34 today (Feb. 22). The Bears desperately need a top-notch pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat, but Mack’s impending decline worries me, especially after seeing some of the contract projections for him.

Josh Sweat is a younger and likely less expensive alternative, but again, I’m not sure the Bears will want to commit between $42-46 million to their edge rushers.

As for the draft, I think Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty gets my pick. Again, I wouldn’t exactly be opposed to it, especially depending on how Chicago attacks free agency, but I really like some of the other backs in the draft in the later rounds. Devin Neal from Kansas was a stud in college, and I know our Bears producer Stephen Nicholas has his eyes on Ollie Gordon out of Oklahoma State.

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What part of the combine are you looking forward to most? Can be players, drills, people to talk to, or a certain cocktail sauce…

Thanks, Austin! Great question.

I’m excited to hear from Ben Johnson for the first time in a press conference setting since his introductory presser at Halas Hall one month ago. He commanded the room well from the PNC Center, but the combine is a different animal. Maybe he’ll be even more in his own element being able to talk ball, but it’ll be interesting to see him away from home base.

Also, no gin and tonic in Indianapolis is safe with me in town. Might have to hit up several establishments for a taste test. If anybody has any recommendations, email me at pnorton@allchgo.com.

If JJ McCarthy were in this year’s draft class, how high would he go?

Oooh, interesting question, Brennan K. (side note: two questions from two Brennans?!)

My guess? No. 1 overall. Cam Ward was an awesome college quarterback, and Shedeur Sanders might’ve been more successful if he hadn’t followed his dad to Colorado (nothing against Deion, but that offensive line was pretty awful). But McCarthy was a winner at Michigan who only fell where he did because Caleb Williams, Jayden McDaniels and Drake Maye were simply better prospects.

McCarthy’s going to be a stud in Minnesota. He’s probably the biggest long-term threat to the Bears within the division, in my opinion. Now, that opinion might be different if, in this hypothetical, McCarthy was playing for the Harbaugh-less Wolverines this year and not leaving Michigan as a national champion. However, Sherrone Moore probably wins more than nine games with McCarthy in 2024.

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Will the Bears’ offseason roster remodeling consist of using a machete, chainsaw or scalpel? How much work lies ahead?

Great question from Ed H.

I’d like to think the Bears are at the point where they can operate with a scalpel. Sure, they might come across some tumors along the way, but it’s hard to imagine the top-end talent on this roster is a long way from being a playoff contender.

A lot of us bought into the hype of “winning the offseason” last year, and it’s safe to say most of us won’t fall for it again. Then again, I work with Greg Braggs Jr., so who knows…

But we bought in for a reason: the talent. Our biggest hesitation was the staff. Now, we’re mostly impressed with the staff Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have built, and our hesitations are about the talent.

The truth is that those hesitations are rooted in how poorly things went, and because I’m comfortable attributing a lot of that mess to last year’s staff, I’m comfortable believing in the top-echelon talent that’s still under contract, too.

That said, ask me again in three or four weeks. While things can be turned around with a scalpel, it’s still going to be a long and grueling surgery with the possibility of major complications.

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All right, this was fun. I’ll do another between free agency and the draft, but I appreciate everybody who emailed me or messaged me a question.

I also wanted to shout out Dan T Mann on Twitter. I have a sneaking suspicion the T stands for “The”, and his message the other day all but confirmed that to be the case.

no question but would like to inform you that I like getting the daily email with your reporting. thanks

— Dan T Mann (@maildbe) February 18, 2025

Thanks for the kind words, Dan. It truly means a lot.

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