In what could be a precursor for many things to come for the Chicago Bears this offseason, they have made a trade with the Buffalo Bills, the two teams announced.
The Bears are acquiring offensive lineman Ryan Bates.
“We have agreed to terms on a trade for OL Ryan Bates, pending physical,” the Bears social media team announced with a post on X, former Twitter, on March 4. “Welcome to Chicago, @52batesryan.”
Bears Trade for Bills’ Ryan Bates
Bears Need a New Center
The Bears signed Bates, 27, to an offer sheet ahead of the 2022 season. But the Bills matched it, leading Chicago to sign Lucas Patrick.
There is an opening at center. Patrick is a free agent and Cody Whitehair was released.
The Bears enter the offseason with the fourth-most cap space. This deal won’t only shape their decisions in free agency, but also in the draft where it was reasonable to have the pegged for one of the classes top centers, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson.
And perhaps they still spend a premium or early pick in the draft on Powers-Johnson or another center.
Ryan Bates Mostly a Special Teamer for Bills in 2023
Bates, who is going into Year 3 of a four-year, $17 million contract, posted the highest grade of his career last season, per Pro Football Focus. His 78.7 mark far exceeded his previous high, a 67.7 grade in 2020.
But there is a rub.
Bates logged 35 offensive snaps in 2023, working mostly on special teams, per Pro Football Reference.
The 6-foot-4 lineman notably posted the lowest grade of his career in 2022, when he set career highs with 15 starts and 94% of the Bills’ offensive snaps logged. Grades are highly subjective, and Bates played mostly at guard that season.
Still, his diminished playing time could be a cause for concern.
The Bears are also moving to a new offensive system than the one they initially wanted Bates for, though they clearly still see him as a fit.
Ryan Bates Could Be Depth Piece for Bears
It is possible the Bears are simply adding Bates as insurance. They could indeed still draft a center such as Powers-Davis and need a capable backup/fill-in starter while the rookie gets up to speed. They also still have 2022 second-round pick Doug Kramer under contract.
The Bears also experienced plenty of injuries at both guard spots last season. Teven Jenkins and 2023 free agent acquisition Nate Davis each missed at least five games.
Bates’ $5.4 million cap hit wouldn’t look so bad on the bench. Surrendering draft capital might.
This is generally a time for subterfuge, so an actual transaction is certainly notable. It’s just far too early to tell exactly how this will impact or inform us about the Bears’ offseason plans. They will undoubtedly remain dominated by the discourse around the quarterbacks though.