Wannstedt: Bears still weak at OL/DL after 2024 NFL Draft

On this episode of Football Night in Chicago, Dave Wannstedt joins Ruthie Polinsky to discuss the Bears 2024 draft. They talk about the Bears' lack of depth at offensive and defensive line, drafting punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round, the Steelers using Justin Fields as a kick returner and more.
#ChicagoBears #CalebWilliams #NFLdraft
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[@Dom2.0]

Because they have 3 picks in the 1st 2 rounds next year in a deeper edge and DL class, they'll be a super team next off-season

[@think4ward996]

Idk if well have a top pick.. We look good on a paper so far

[@Calebwilliamsishim]

My guy we will we will have 18th or the 20 sum pick but are still gonna win alot of games this season

[@jlmurph2]

We still have Panthers round 2 pick

[@Dom2.0]

@@Calebwilliamsishim and?

[@Dom2.0]

@@think4ward996 we wont.

[@user-xo1sf7xg8w]

Agreed but anyone thinking they can fill every hole in one draft is crazy.

[@drewmorrison]

That’s the point I always make. You never can fill every need in 1 draft. Luckily we’re in a position where if a few guys overachieve next year, we can compete. We don’t need the entire team to over achieve now.

[@fabiangonzalez5632]

@@drewmorrisonexaclty when u start drafting trying to fix all the holes in one draft. U start over drafting dudes

[@johntucker5994]

Dave Wannstedt on Bears drafting Tory Taylor in round 4 at 6:08: "All he's got to do is help 'em win one or two games and it will have been worth it". Exactly!!! Poles went into this draft looking for blue-chip players.....players that are so talented that they can make an immediate impact and an impact for years to come. That's what he got in Williams, Ozdunze and Taylor (not to mention his free agent signings in exchange for draft picks). I think the critics of Poles' 4th round pick of Taylor are wrong, and I believe Poles understands how to build a winning football team.

[@pjjones9989]

All the bears fan crying is just condition to lose that’s all they know🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️ how can we question a superbowl winning GM /player personnel guy when we have 40 years of losing !! Blows my mind

[@drewmorrison]

We essentially locked up a field position advantage for the next 15 years. Generational punter sounds crazy to use but Tory Taylor is that.

[@johntucker5994]

Wannstedt is also correct that the Bears need more OL help. Poles is well aware of this fact. But Poles told Bears' fans last year that there are a lot of holes to fill, and that won't happen in one year. The same goes for this year. They couldn't build a championship team this year. It will take at least one more season of free agent signings and draft picks to assemble that kind of talent, plus coach-up and develop the current talent. But Poles is doing a fine job. While it's true that Poles has had some luck, I still believe that he is probably the best Bears GM since Jim Finks.

[@brandoncampbell6606]

They drafted one, traded for one, and signed a couple. What else do you want Poles to do there

[@johntucker5994]

@@brandoncampbell6606 Did you read my full post? I am supportive of what Poles has done, not criticizing him. But the Bears will need to continue to address the O-line next year.

[@brandoncampbell6606]

@@johntucker5994 Why point out the obvious like this hasn’t been a priority for Poles? What your saying in so many words is that you think you could do better lol

[@johntucker5994]

@@brandoncampbell6606 Man you’re dumb.

[@ikenna59]

Wannatedt would never have drafted Caleb or Rome. That football dinasour woulda fucked it up

[@Nautilus1972]

We need a guard, center, 3-T and DE.

[@jroe25yt8]

Agreed... all about the trenches next draft.

[@baaad33kitty]

Kam Stutts UDFA was signed 🐻

[@Kevincarlloven]

Don't need guard. Have Jenkins, Nate Davis, Ryan Bates, and the guy they drafted in the third round can play guard. They just need more center help, depth on Oline, and another edge rusher. I think Gervon Dexter gonna be really good next to Billings.

[@davidscott8238]

Depth always an issue but no team can lose LT or several starters on OL or DL but I’m happy with starters. Gervon Dexter is gonna be Akiem Hicks style disrupter and I feel he’s going to really come into his own over the next 2 years. Super excited.

[@woodstocknation1961]

Hell we DON'T know anything about our much ballyhooed QB offensive line or OC. Bears fans ALWAYS assume the RINGfairy will bring a super bowl ring

[@Mach11976]

Dave's right about the trenches both sides. Every one of them need to step it up! Bear Down!

[@mark11967AD]

During the pre draft mocks everyone talked about O Lineman, Edges, and D lineman for the Bears. As a need. It would have been huge to draft one of those top tackles like Fashanu, Fautanu, Fuaga but with Rome being available and Keenan Allen getting older and more of a short term answer you probably had to go with a possible future HOF WR1. Still, Caleb needs a better O Line and better protection as in a top 10 or top 5 line like Detroit, KC, and the Ravens have. They still have a ways to go. Hopefully some of their young guys take another step but they’ll have to draft more talent in the next couple of years. If the kid from Yale becomes a solid starter that would be huge.

[@clubmogambo3214]

The Bears aren't 'weak' at the trenches, they're just not completely there yet. But we have 3 possible top 50 picks next year to address whatever positions need strengthening.

[@BURNurbie]

Weak how?... ur not going to have elites at every position and the "key" positions wouldn't have been filled in this draft anyways

[@tangobear5359]

WR RO, do deserve to wear #1

[@brandoncampbell6606]

What do you want Poles to do? He’s drafted and signed OL and DL player every year lol

[@motivatedt9926]

You have to build through the trenches. You build a winning franchise from the inside out, not outside in clearly what poles is doing

[@tenishasaylor6568]

Justin Fields gonna be a beast returning kicks gtfoh. They tryna joke but watch if he does get that role

[@stevethomas5467]

🐻⬇️

[@windycityflier23]

JJ just said it the other day, the trenches need work on both sides of the ball. I think Poles will get us there but we aren’t there yet. Plus I think we’ll bring in another edge guy before week 1

[@user-oo6fb4zq3j]

YES!!! Wanney The Bears need lots of o-line and d-line help

[@byronscherer5098]

Finally someone saus it the line is not good.

[@jamesloerzel4377]

The O line, is ranked 19th... Last year... Bates that center from the Rams, and our 3rd Rd pick from Yale... Makes it a couple spots better... Maybe like 15th... Also offensive weapons make olines look good

[@byronscherer5098]

@jamesloerzel4377 where do I begin? Bates: let's see. Well he did not come from the Rams. He came from Buffalo and played less than 60 total snaps at the position in 2 years. Fluss in prototypical Bears fashion announced this guy would be the starting center with the more experienced center from the Rams being a backup swing interior linemen. Now on your ranking we are talking Pass Pro; pray tell how does a team rank 19th on pass Pro when only one of its members rank at 19 or lower? Braxton was 26th last year Nate Davis was at 34th Wright was in upper 20's Bates as I said wasn't even calculated in because you have to play the position to be ranked. The departed center Patrick was 43rd. Tevin J was the ONLY one ranked higher than 19. So how the Hell do you get 19th ranked from this. I know facts are inconvenient truths for many these days. PS: Bates had a horrific knee injury in Dec of 22 that caused him to be out most of 23.

[@adammetz135]

I’ve always thought Dave was a dope. Even though in this instance he is correct (da Bears lack trench talent), he’s still a dope.

[@Michael-CharlesAust-ee5oo]

Great Coach Dave is.

[@joefrank3439]

Click bait! He didn’t say that. He basically praised the Bears to the 10th degree, then said he is scared if there are a few injuries in the OL and would like to see another pass rusher

[@JulianMcKeithan]

I don't think weak but thin but Poles is going to make arrangements 🐻⬇️

[@eflat6522]

At least Poles didn't blow a 2nd round pick on a punter like a certain coach back in the 90s did. That same coach didn't believe in drafting offensive lineman high. Yeah, I'm still mad about the Wanny era. 🤣😆🤣

[@langstondah7350]

No sh6t....SMDH FBA/B1

[@tommybrown187]

Both lines are still weak so the team will still struggle. We have good skill position players but you win games in the trenches

[@anon21341]

ok football expert

[@KingofeverythingChicagoBears]

You know nothing

[@user-xo1sf7xg8w]

Not having JF is a worth more wins alone

[@Michael-CharlesAust-ee5oo]

Justin Fields carried Chicago mostly when he went into Devin Hester mode.

[@ttaylor758]

Where are football games won again?? 😂😂😂😂

[@Nautilus1972]

On the field.

[@charliekim4225]

If Justin Fields plays special teams/punt returns, then I am a Stealers fan. This would be amazing

[@tyreepowell8367]

Bear Down

[@alexamerling79]

Next year's class is stronger on DL. Bring back Yannick in the meantime.

[@jimringomartin]

Weak at OL? Not after getting Theo Benedet

[@lamonteshockley787]

Bears could be weak at any position but quarterback. So thats that !!!!! No team has a pro bowl player at every position that's why its a team game. Quit trying to find a weakness before they even play a game is senseless. Any player is primed to have a breakout year its called a career 😮

[@javelldunn3379]

Bears down

[@jessefay4984]

Bears fans completely delusional. Wake up is coming just like every year.

[@Michael-CharlesAust-ee5oo]

Not quite - you must be from some place other than Meatball Island. 2022 2 games lost by Striped Shirts 2023 3 games lost by Getsy. NFL sent letter of apology and OC and Staff were fired. 🐻⬇️🧆🏝️