CBS

The Chicago Bears reportedly hired Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles to serve as the organization's new general manager. Poles inherits a roster that finished 6-11 this season and features quarterback Justin Fields. There are a myriad of ways that the first-time general manager could look to upgrade the roster in short order. Chronologically, the team will go through free agency before arriving at the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite mutually productive careers in Chicago, it feels as though the team will finally part ways with wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks this offseason -- both of whom are free agents. According to Spotrac.com, the Bears have roughly $34.4 million in salary cap space this offseason, which ranks No. 10 in the league. There are not a wealth of options to increase that number in 2022. In all likelihood, the team will make a concerted effort to sign offensive guard James Daniels and, presumably, safety DeAndre Houston-Carson. Offensive linemen Germain Ifedi and Jason Peters, wide receiver Jakeem Grant and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols could be candidates to re-sign. None of those moves should impact or prohibit the team from doing anything else in free agency.