The Chicago Bears made their first major acquisition of the NFL offseason on Monday when the team sent a 2024 5th-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for OL Ryan Bates. Bates was targeted by the Bears in 2022 when Ryan Poles first took over as the team's GM. Now, with two years remaining on his current deal, Bates is now a Bear.
However, many believed Bates was acquired to play guard, meaning there would be three possible options for the team's two guard spots. Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins manned the positions a season ago, and Bates would further complicate that position. Bears fans were expecting the team to be active in free agency for a center. Well, it appears the Bears may have answered the question at center with the addition of Bates.
As indicated by Brad Biggs, Bates is a low-cost add for the Bears from a salary standpoint. The Bills have been shedding salary before free agency opens and giving away Bates was an easy option. Rather than letting the Bills cut him and forcing the Bears to compete with other teams, they gave up late-round capital to get the deal done now.
Although some people might not be thrilled with Bates as the team's center, he is still a really solid option. Bates moves well, has played the position previously, and is more experienced than a rookie coming in. With Caleb Williams as the presumed No. 1 pick, having a veteran at center is a helpful addition and certainly an upgrade over Lucas Patrick. Plus, he won't cost the same as a top center in the open market.
Another key to Biggs' report is that the Bears could potentially add at defensive tackle. Christian Wilkins, perhaps the best option available at the DT spot, will cost a pretty penny. By saving money at center, the Bears could add Wilkins in free agency and then draft a pass rusher to play opposite of Montez Sweat. With those additions, the Bears' defensive front becomes one of the best in the league.
Bates may not be the sexy addition at center, but he is cost effective and allows the Bears to spend big at other spots. Adding on the defensive side of the ball will be priority, and the Bears seem to be in play to add two or more receivers this offseason. With all the math in mind, adding a cost effective option at one position of need is rather helpful.
As it stands, Ryan Bates appears to be the new center in Chicago. With the money saved at center, how else will the Bears upgrade the team? We should learn in the coming days as NFL free agency gets set to open next week.
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