Bears Projected to Move on From Once-Coveted Ryan Poles Addition

There was one point a few seasons back in which offensive lineman Ryan Bates seemed like one of the more coveted players by Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Now, Bates has been labeled a cut candidate.

While a restricted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in Match of 2022, Bates caught Poles’s attention. The Bears submitted an offer sheet, but Buffalo immediately matched it, retaining him on a four-year, $17 million deal. Poles made another trade overture in 2023, but again, Buffalo held pat, keeping Bates in place.

Poles finally got his guy in spring of 2024, when he sent a 2024 fifth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for Bates’ services. Unfortunately, Bates got bit by the injury bug early and often, and wound up only appearing in just three games, starting two.

In their latest 53-man roster projection, Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns of The Athletic don’t have Bates making the roster after the team’s OL overhaul this offseason.

The Athletic’s Early Prediction Has Ryan Bates Getting Cut By Chicago Bears

GettyChicago Bears offensive lineman Ryan Bates is a cut candidate heading into 2025.

 

The Bears went out and got Joe Thuney (LG), Drew Dalman (center) and Jonah Jackson (RG) this offseason, and together with incumbent RT Darnell Wright, they’ll make up four of the team’s five starters on the O-line.

Rookie Ozzy Trapilo, previous starting LT Braxton Jones and second-year OL Kiran Amegadjie are all competing for the left tackle spot. Jahns and Fishbain have all three making the roster, along with veteran Bill Murray and rookie Luke Newman as depth. No Bates.

“This group has only four returning players from last season, a sign of the overhaul,” Fishbain explained.

“The competition for the final offensive line spots will include Doug Kramer, a 2022 draft pick, Ryan Bates, whose 2024 was derailed by injuries, Ricky Stromberg, Chris Glaser and Jordan McFadden. Regardless of who OL8 or OL9 is, the top seven look a lot better than what the Bears have had in several years.”

With the front office clearly focused on youth development and scheme fit under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Bates may find himself the odd man out.

A Closer Look at the Other OL Competing for Spots on the Bears’ Roster

The 6-foot-8, 315-pound Trapilo brings size, physicality and potential to the left tackle spot. He also a offers cost-controlled upside that Bates doesn’t.

Jones, despite injury setbacks, is still seen a potential starter at LT. He was a PFWA All-Rookie selection in 2022 and posted an impressive 80.8 PFF pass-blocking grade that year. His experience and affordability give him an edge over other OL competing for a spot.

Amegadjie, a third-round pick in 2024 out of Yale, has size and mobility, but he’s as raw as it gets. He didn’t play much as a rookie, and when he did, he looked overwhelmed. He’ll still get a roster spot, but he’ll likely be a developmental piece moving forward.

Murray is an interesting case. As an exclusive rights free agent, the Bears clearly value him and want to keep him around. He played just 24 pass block snaps for the Bears last season, but he kept the pocket clean and didn’t allow a single sack or pressure.

Newman, a 2025 sixth-round pick out of Michigan State, has the stamp of approval from Ben Johnson, although as a Day 3 rookie, won’t face an easy time making the roster.

Overall, the Bears have a solid mix of proven vets and young high-upside talent. It’ll be up to Bates to prove he belongs in the group.