One of the key things the Chicago Bears must do in 2025 for new head coach Ben Johnson is to start fortifying the trenches immediately.
General manager Ryan Poles has faced scrutiny by NFL scouts and executives for building the team inside-out. Former head coach Matt Eberflus’ in-game decision-making eventually got him fired, but having solid skilled guys with no offensive line or defensive pass rush did him no favors.
Poles tried to add help to the interior offensive line by trading a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Ryan Bates. Unfortunately for Chicago, an arthritis injury and a concussion kept him off the field for much of the season.
The Chicago Bears could part ways with an offensive lineman
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report argued that cutting the 27-year-old would be a fast way for the Bears to add $4 million in cap space for free agency.
“Ryan Bates’ entire $4 million cap hit is not guaranteed next season,” Ballentine wrote. “So if the Bears are looking to create some quick cash to add to their cap space, then cutting Ryan Bates is the place to start.
Bates does provide interior flexibility. He can play both guard and center which is useful, however, his pass-blocking grade was abysmal last season.
“He ranked 99th out of 135 guards graded by PFF last season. Offensive line depth is important, but this is an offensive line that needs a few more starters before it worries about depth.”
Ben Johnson needs resources to overhaul the O-line
The Philadelphia Eagles initially signed Bates as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2019. He spent most of his career as a backup, appearing in 73 games and starting in 19.
Cutting Bates would make sense for the Bears, especially considering his medical history. It’s hard to see Bates improving in 2025.
The Detroit Lions offense was able to do special things in recent seasons because the offensive line was good enough to execute Johnson’s scheme. Adding cap space could help the Bears add help up front in free agency.
Per Spotrac, the Bears enter the 2025 offseason with $69.3 million in cap space, the fourth-most in the league. Cutting Bates would give Johnson a better opponent to find groceries to cook with in his first season in Chicago.
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Chicago Bears could look in a surprise direction in the first round after the hiring of Ben Johnson
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