It’s amazing what a week can change, isn’t it? Going into Free Agency, the Chicago Bears and third-year general manager Ryan Poles had plenty of questions to answer. First and foremost, what would the team do with quarterback Justin Fields? Well, that was answered shockingly on Saturday afternoon as he was shipped off to Pittsburgh to take over the backup role to newcomer Russell Wilson. Even more surprising was that Chicago settled for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick, that could turn into a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% of the snaps next season. While the wait for the team’s quarterback resolution took some time to sort out last week, their plans during the opening wave of the acquisition period became clear early. It started with the trade of Ryan Bates a week before Free Agency. Then followed the addition of veteran safety Kevin Byard on Sunday. Shortly after the negotiation window opened, running back D’Andre Swift was added to the fold. Later, their “big waves” were capped off with acquisitions of tight end Gerald Everett, interior offensive lineman Coleman Shelton, and the shocking trade for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen.
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