**I know I said the schedule would be every 90 minutes, but there’s been a lot of Bears news today so we’re using extra blogs at 12:45 and 2:45**
I’m not even going to try like I’m an expert on Dayo Odeyingbo. Not even close actually, so let’s prep ourselves on the big fella.
Here’s the meat and potatoes:
- Big mother fucker at 6’6 and 290
- 2nd round pick (54th overall) by the Colts out of Vanderbilt in 2021
- One of the hotter names in the Edge free agent class based on his age and more importantly, how much he’s improved over the last two seasons. The jump in production is a huge sign that there’s another gear for him to reach
- HOWEVER: $48,000,000 is a lot of money, especially considering the D-Line depth in the upcoming draft
- Played in all 17 games last year with 14 starts
- 42 QB Pressures in 2024 – career high
- Only had 3 sacks, but had 17 QB hits which was more then both Montez Sweat and Khalil Mack
- Had 17 QB hits in 2023 with 8 sacks
- Better against the pass than he is the run
- Considered in the upper 30-35% of all defensive end/edge rushers by the guys who make those kinda rankings
- People think he’s a perfect fit for Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen
And honestly this just keeps getting better as a Bears fan. This is the 4th addition in the last week that drastically improves a horribly weak area, and the first notable upgrade to the front 7 this offseason.
Now this is actually starting to make me wonder if Jeanty becomes a reality at #10.
I’ve been saying for as long as I’ve been saying anything about the 2025 draft that I don’t want a running back.
But now Poles has added 3 starters to the offensive line and a full time D-End. With 4 picks in the top 72 of the draft, there’s a lot more wiggle room now to grab Jeanty in the first round if he’s still there. Or maybe go with honorary Joliet Catholic all state running back Cam Skattebo in the 2nd.
These start becoming much safer plays if you’ve already upgraded the weakest areas of the team.
If they don’t make a monster splash like this on the d-line, I’m probably singing a different tune.
But right now I’m really making a comeback on my Ryan Poles relationship. I’ve been very impressed with his gameplan and more important – his ability to execute in such short order. Especially coming off those shitty Wide Receiver moves last year when we needed reliable protection.
So when you think about it like that, this is more than just a player. And it’s more than making the team better over the last week. It’s actually so much better. It’s a committed strategy to plug the biggest holes before we get to the draft, and that’s just about the smartest thing you can do in today’s NFL.
The Eagles are a perfect example of being able to take the best player available because they have solid veterans and well-coached program. Same thing with the Ravens and the Packers and all the teams that routinely win double digit games.
So that’s a nice change of pace if you’re the kinda person that wants more than 5-12 every year.
It’s actually real nice.
But there’s still a lot of work to do and I don’t want to get ahead of myself crowning Ryan Poles.
The reality and better place to land is that he’s winning me over drastically and I think most of us would agree. We’re building momentum, protecting Caleb and going into the draft with house money at our biggest needs.
And while I know this is going to haunt me, I’ll fucking say it anyways.
Feels good to be a Bears fan.
At least for right now.