Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles commented on how he has been adding players who grew up in the Chicagoland area, and it isn't by accident.
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles has had a booming start to the NFL offseason. He has traded the number one overall pick for DJ Moore and additional picks. He has also signed linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, and added tight end Robert Tonyan, among other moves.
Both Edwards and Tonyan grew up in the Chicagoland area in Lake Villa and McHenry, respectively. Poles says that information played into his decision for signing the two.
According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Poles said “I think you have pride in your local team that you grew up watching, you knew what this club meant to the city and you saw some good times and some good players.
“I think you’re a little bit more motivated to perform at a high level and also lead because you’ve seen guys do it at a high level before you.”
Poles is not wrong. Multiple Chicago teams have seen it work out across all sports, the Bears should be no different.
The team already had quite a few local products on the team last year. Cole Kmet took a big step last year with a new head coach and offensive coordinator. Jake Sanborn from Lake Zurich was one of the biggest surprises last year on the defense. Offensive lineman Doug Kramer Jr. from Hinsdale was drafted last year and should be getting looks this year at center.
Only time will tell if this will play into their draft strategy. There are quite a few local guys available in the draft that fit the Bears' needs.
On the offensive line, there is Peter Skronski (Maine South, Northwestern) and Alex Palczewski from (Prospect, University of Illinois). Skronski will likely be a top-10 pick and a realistic possibility to be drafted by the Bears at nine.
Also on offense could be wide receivers Charlie Jones (Deerfield, Purdue) and Jayden Reed (Naperville Central/ Metea Valley, Michigan State), and running back Xazavian Valladay (Brother Rice, Arizona State). Reed was among the players that the Bears hosted for a top-30 visit.
On defense, there is defensive end Lukas Van Ness (Barrington, Iowa) and cornerback Cameron Mitchell (Bolingbrook, Northwestern). At nine, Van Ness could be a viable option for the Bears if available as the Bears want to bolster the defense early in the draft.
If the Bears draft one or more of these guys, it will invigorate the fan base and further back Poles' theory. Adding players with a personal connection to the success of the Bears should only increase the competitive edge and morale within the locker room entering the 2023 season.
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