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Of the myriad holes in the Bears’ roster after general manager Ryan Poles’ first season, the biggest one was particularly self-inflicted, when Poles traded second-team All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens at mid-season after failing to agree on a long-term contract.
It was the most curious move of a roster teardown that was otherwise welcome and necessary after Poles and coach Matt Eberflus were hired in January of 2022.