Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent remain on the Bears’ roster, with the draft expected to be used to bring in the team’s next starter. The Bears are also adding another veteran arm.
Brett Rypien signed a one-year deal with the Bears on Tuesday. Rypien spent time with new Bears OC Shane Waldron in Seattle last season. This will be team No. 4 for Rypien over the past six months.
The Rams rostered Rypien for the season’s first half, bringing in the former Broncos backup just after the draft. Following a rough start in Green Bay, however, Rypien received his walking papers ahead of the Rams’ Carson Wentz addition. The Seahawks then added the veteran to their practice squad, which preceded a Jets late-season poaching. The middle stint is the most relevant to Rypien’s latest move.
Waldron resided as the Seahawks’ OC last season, and Rypien spent nearly a month on the team’s P-squad. While that is a brief cameo even by NFL standards, it does appear Waldron liked enough about Rypien’s form. A Denver backup for four years prior to the three-city 2023 odyssey, Rypien stands to be a factor for the Bears’ second- or third-string job once the offseason program begins.
Chicago is widely expected to draft Caleb Williams first overall. Unlike other QBs being considered in Round 1, the 2022 Heisman winner should not be expected to be stashed as a developmental project. With Williams ticketed for the QB1 role, the Bears are almost certain to trade Fields. That said, the three-year Chicago starter’s market has not taken off like the team hoped. A brief Raiders connection fizzled, and given that Luke Getsy coached Fields for two seasons, Las Vegas’ Gardner Minshew payment (two years, $25MM, $15MM guaranteed) probably matters with regards to the QB’s trade value.
Once connected to fetching Chicago a potential Day 2 pick and perhaps more, Fields may no longer be likely to generate such compensation. The Bears are standing pat for the time being, though Fields should not be expected to be on their 2024 roster. That could leave Rypien and Bagent in a competition behind Williams.
QB1!!! Bears are certainly trading Fields AND the #1 pick now! “Let Poles cook!”
Poles making HUGE moves.
Great strategy. Let all the top free agents go elsewhere while you fill in depth roles with league minimum vets and hold tight to Fields while every quarterback needy team fills that role with other QBs.
Poles if your goal is to put the most mediocre team possible on the field, you’re nailing it.
He is smart to not overpay for FAs to come here at this point. You have no idea especially with this front office what offers they had out there. The market for Fields obviously has not been there. The Cousins, Wilson, and Minshew deals tell you all you need to know there. Poles can only do what is available to him. He has told you since day 1 that the was going to tear down the roster completely and build it back up through the draft. He has done that for the most part. Year one was the tear down. Year two was the start of building it back up ending in a 4-win improvement. Year three will continue that build hopefully with another jump in improvement. Patience from fans to follow the plan is what is needed. Poles has done nothing so far to not earn that.
The Texans have almost completely rebuilt their team in less time than Poles has had.
I’m all for not overpaying on tons of FAs, but you would think he would want to get at least one FA that’s near the top of their position.
Usually the best rule of thumb is to focus on getting your big chip first and then later filling in depth roles with lesser players later. Poles seems to be doing the opposite.
And we are assuming the market for Fields is simply not there. I think what’s far more likely is Poles’ asking price was far too high and those teams looked elsewhere as a result.
I’m all for trusting the process but his passing on Jalen Carter last year in favor of taking the 2nd or 3rd ranked Tackle at 1.10 and his FA choices this offseason so far do not inspire much confidence. Not to mention his trading a second round pick for Chase Claypool or trading Roquan Smith for a second and a fifth.
At some point you have to at least consider that he isn’t the messiah and is just making mistakes.
Just stating the obvious here but just need to vent. Need a WR, edge rusher/DE, more help and depth on the O Line. Some Free Agent players available. Only 5 picks in the draft. Hopefully Poles makes the correct choices. Don’t need another RB.
WR Mike Williams is available. Signing Mike Williams would allow CHI to draft one of the top Edge prospects with the #9 pick. Dallas Turner or Jared Verse.
Just throwing it out there as an idea.
Williams is an expensive older player who can’t stay on the field. You still need to draft a WR. I would not give Williams any kind of big deal.
Williams is hurt a lot
This kid keeps getting paychecks
Poles could either trade down or shock everyone and take MHJ. I’m sure Fields would love to have him catching his passes.
The NFL teams have told you Fields value! Worth nothing.
Stop thinking he will develop into a great player. Caleb Williams is the smartest decision here.
I’m just wondering if Poles just proved to Fields and his agent that a 3 yr. $45M deal would be in his best interest. Trade down and gain draft capital draft MHjr. Draft a Nix or Pennix in round 2 and protect yourself against QB1 going down from ending your season.
Uh, Fields would sign that in a heartbeat. Why would Poles offer it? At some point draft capital has to come up with a functional QB. Just ask the Jets and Falcons.
Might be Chicago goes with MH jr or Bowers or Alt., and sticks with Fields until his rookie deal is finished. According to ‘expects’ they might find a serviceable QB top of round 2 to teach up for next year.