Preseason Finale Has Changed Chicago Bears' Waiver Wire Plans

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GM Ryan Poles claimed several players on the waiver wire last year. He felt his team needed better depth. It worked out pretty well. Of the six players claimed, three became solid contributors during the year. Josh Blackwell and Sterling Weatherford stood out on special teams. Armon Watts helped the defensive line rotation. Now, the Chicago Bears hold the top spot in the waiver priority list with final cuts around the corner. It’s not difficult to think he plans to take full advantage of that.

Predicting his likeliest move has also become easy. When looking at the Bears’ roster coming out of the preseason finale against Buffalo, it is clear they have glaring depth issues on the interior offensive line, especially center. Teven Jenkins’ calf injury has forced Cody Whitehair to move back to left guard. Lucas Patrick still hasn’t returned from his own injury in the past few weeks. Now second-year man Doug Kramer, their former 6th round pick last year, left the game with his arm in a cast.

Even if Patrick returns in time to play Green Bay, there is still a glaring void behind him at center.

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If you're tracking at home. State of Bears' centers:— Cody Whitehair, wrap on right hand, moved to LG to replace Teven Jenkins— Lucas Patrick hasn't played in the preseason— Doug Kramer wrap or cast on right hand

Center is the obvious focus, but guard and tackle may get some action, too. There isn’t much experience behind the starting five right now. Poles may hope to find some. It depends on what the other teams around the NFL decide to do. History shows there is always at least one notable name that pops loose. Last year, it was guys like O.J. Howard and Anthony Harris. The hope is evident that one of them is an offensive lineman this year. Poles could also force the issue by exploring the trade market.

Recent news came out that edge rusher Trevis Gipson wants to go elsewhere. Pass rushers always fetch interest on the market, especially when they’re on an affordable contract. Maybe a team in need of rush help has a guard or center they can spare in a player swap. Poles has options. He and the Chicago Bears pro scouting department have a busy next few days ahead of them. Don’t be surprised if several claims are made within the next four days. Offensive line will be at the top of the list.

Don’t worry about Center,

Help is a Cummin!

This is what I’ve feared for weeks. While everyone was screaming for the Bears to sign an Edge (and yes that includes a lot of us armchair GM’s), I was screaming for depth on the O-line. I loved the starting five. But I also know that rarely does the starting five last an entire season in tact. Now the Bears are paying the price. It was the first time in 2 years that I questioned what the heck Poles was doing (or more correctly NOT doing). My only hope is that having all these injuries now is better than having… Read more »

SamK, TGena, and other Poles haters – There’s a key point that you’re missing. Every GM has misses. Poles will be no exception. Ozzie Newsome, who build some great Ravens teams, had misses. A good GM will hit on 60-70% of their moves, and a bad GM will hit on 30-40% of their moves. This number will vary season to season, and for reasons beyond anyone’s control. Andrew Luck retiring after 7 years? Not Ballard’s fault, he didn’t draft the guy, that was Grigson, and it was considered the obvious and safe pick to move on from Payton Manning. And… Read more »

Slip Knotz — It seems that you are intent on proving Larry “Borom had [to] be helped out again today in pass pro” despite the grades that Pro Football Focus (PFF) has published, for the Bears’ individual games and total 2023 preseason. G — POS — Snaps — Off– RBlock — PBlock TEN.—LT. — 41. — 93.9 — 94.9 — 83.5 IND. — RT. — 32. — 91.9 — 93.7 — 80.9 BUF — RT — 17 — 59.0 — 55.4 — 62.3 2023 — OT — 89 — 94.5 — 96.2 — 80.8 Larry Borom’s 2023 stats include: 1… Read more »

@scott brs.. I totally agree. Everyone is questioned and evaluated, yet Poles laundry list of misses is just pushed under the rug, and if u bring it up, everyone gets angry and down votes. All of you on here take great pleasure in slamming Pace.. and in the end he deserves it. But WTF has Poles done that is so great??? Best thing he did was running the WORST team in football, and thus having the #1 draft pick to use for trade bait. Not sure how much skill and intelligence it takes to run the worst team in the… Read more »