While some fans may not want interior offensive lineman Ryan Bates back in the middle after an injury-marred two years with the Chicago Bears, general manager Ryan Poles may find himself and the front office circling back to the former Penn State Nittany Lions and Buffalo Bills standout.
The Bears have made several signings in free agency, but the offensive line hasn't been the beneficiary of the spending thus far. Free-agent tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. got $1.2 million to make way to the Windy City, while Braxton Jones got $5 million to stay.
While the Garrett Bradbury trade with the New England Patriots gave the team a new starting center for the price of a fifth-round pick, there are still some holes behind him. In fact, there may be holes with Bradbury and at the center position at large, considering Drew Dalman's retirement.
"Bradbury is a good, quick solution at center, but NFC North fans will remember his struggles in pass protection when he was with the Vikings," ESPN's Ben Solak wrote on Wednesday. "The Bears still might improve upon him in the draft."
With that in mind, Chicago fans shouldn't be shocked if the front office is open to bringing Bates back, at the very least as an insurance policy.
Ryan Bates Reunion Could Be a Low-Risk Solution to Bears' Depth Needs
While next month's draft is an option to fortify the offensive line, the Bears have bigger needs along the edge and in the secondary. Chicago might not need to overthink this one too much, even if, on paper, it's not the most exciting potential offseason development.
Weighing in at over 300 pounds, Bates is not noticeably small at the guard spot. He doesn't exactly possess the prototypical guard build, but being capable of snaps at all three interior line positions is what you look for in low-cost veterans.
Between 2021 and 2022, Bates gave up one sack and 31 pressures over 775 pass-blocking snaps, with most opportunities (1,048) being played at guard. A center by trade, Bates impressed the Bills during the 2023 preseason before being limited to mostly snaps at guard in Western New York, too.
Perhaps head coach Ben Johnson and offensive line coach Dan Roushar could see what they have in Bates at center now that Bates is presumably healthier than in years after suffering more wear-and-tear in 2025.
Bates' current market value is $1.2 million, according to Spotrac, making him a similarly small swing as Wills. Chicago won't be alone this offseason in trying to sign him, though. The New York Giants reportedly met with Bates two weeks ago. There's been minimal chatter since, and no agreement was reached.
The Bears may be able to play the waiting game with Bates, with the 29-year-old losing leverage with every passing day he isn't signed. Either way, they should do the inevitable and bring him back for one last chance to prove he can be what he was in Buffalo throughout 19 starts once upon a time.