Ryan Poles’ rebuild of the Bears as the franchise’s new general manager started with a house-cleaning that sure looked like a repudiation of the roster he inherited from Ryan Pace.
He traded edge rusher Khalil Mack, cut nose tackle Eddie Goldman and had no interest in quality free agents such as wide receiver Allen Robinson, guard James Daniels and defensive end Akiem Hicks. On the first day of free agency, he signed center Lucas Patrick to replace Sam Mustipher at center.
And the draft produced an even clearer rejection. Braxton Jones, a fifth-round draft pick, became an instant hit at left tackle, ostensibly replacing Pace’s 2021 second-round draft pick, Teven Jenkins.