The trade involving Ryan Bates signifies two key aspects of the Bears' trajectory for the 2024 offseason.
After over 700 days, Bears general manager Ryan Poles finally secured his desired acquisition on Monday by trading for veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. The deal is subject to a physical and cannot be finalized until the commencement of the new league year on March 13.
This trade for Bates transpires nearly two years following Poles' unsuccessful attempt to sign him to a four-year, $17-million contract offer, which the Bills matched.
With versatile experience across the offensive line throughout his five-year NFL tenure, Bates primarily operated at right guard, where he was a full-time starter for the Bills in 2022. Notably, he yielded only 28 pressures and one sack in 615 pass-blocking snaps that season. Despite transitioning to a reserve role last season, playing solely at center for 35 snaps, Bates remains a valuable addition to the Bears' lineup.
Securing Bates provides the Bears with veteran depth in the interior offensive line, particularly beneficial given Teven Jenkins' injury history. Additionally, while Bates offers a starting option at center, the Bears remain open to pursuing other veteran options like Lloyd Cushenberry or Connor Williams in free agency.
Moreover, the trade expands the Bears' flexibility in navigating free agency and the draft, allowing them to pivot away from targeting a center if necessary. With their current lack of draft picks between No. 9 and No. 75, acquiring a starting-caliber center in the draft presents challenges.
Furthermore, this deal highlights a shift in the Bears' rebuild trajectory, indicating a transition from prioritizing Day 3 draft picks to focusing on acquiring proven assets to complement their roster. As they prepare to select Caleb Williams as the top overall pick, bolstering the offensive line with established veterans like Bates remains a critical objective for the Bears' offseason plans.
In summary, while there's still work to be done, the acquisition of Bates for a fifth-round pick signifies an early positive move for the Bears as they prepare for the upcoming season.
| POLL | ||
5 MARS | 123 ANSWERS The trade involving Ryan Bates signifies two key aspects of the Bears' trajectory for the 2024 offseason. Was the Ryan Bates a good deal? | ||
| yes | 104 | 84.6 % |
| No | 19 | 15.4 % |
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