5 Biggest Mistakes of Ryan Poles' Bears Tenure So Far

2. Trading a second-round pick for Chase Claypool

After giving quarterback Justin Fields zero-dependable wide receiving targets outside of Darnell Mooney, Poles decided to acquire Claypool during the 2022 season.

At the time, Fields' tremendous playmaking ability with his legs had earned him a better receiver than N'Keal Harry.

The problem was Poles traded the Bears' second-round pick instead of the second-rounder he had just gotten from the Baltimore Ravens for Roquan Smith. Actually, the bigger problem was trading a second-round pick for Claypool in the first place as the Pittsburgh Steelers had enough of his decline in production and his locker room problems.

The Bears got the same version of Claypool that Pittsburgh was trying to get off their roster. Claypool registered just 18 catches, 191 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games. It got so bad that he was told to stay away from the team at the end of his tenure last season and he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a late-round draft choice.

The Steelers took Joey Porter Jr. with the 32nd pick and has become a starting corner.

3. Making Velus Jones Jr. his first offensive draft pick in the 2022 draft.

Some are mad that Poles selected safety, Jaquan Brisker, in the second round over George Pickens in that draft. Pickens had character and injury issues.

Brisker, when healthy, has become one of the better players the Bears have in that secondary. Another mistake pointed out in that second round was two secondary players were chosen when Poles maybe could have selected some offensive lineman.

Cam Jurgens is now a reliable starter for the Philadelphia Eagles and he was selected three spots after Brisker. Still, Kyler Gordon and Brisker have turned into starters. Taking Velus in the third round was just plain awful.

First, he was 25 at the time of his selection. Second, he was really only known for his speed.

He never got a chance to show that off, as he could not field punts very well, and it turns out he was terrible at catching deep ball passes. It got so bad that he was converted to running back during training camp this year. He was only active for one game and eventually released.

The Bears at the very least could have had wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who is at least providing some production. Sean Rhyan is now a starting guard for the Green Bay Packers. Kerby Joseph is a good secondary player for the Lions.