The Bears are getting trashed in preseason power rankings, analyses and prognostications — and all Bears fans can do is nod their collective head. After all, it’s by design.
First-year general manager Ryan Poles started a rebuild with a roster teardown. He traded pass rusher Khalil Mack. He made no attempt to keep some of the Bears’ most productive free agents — wide receiver Allen Robinson, defensive end Akiem Hicks and guard James Daniels. His biggest free agent signings were intentionally modest — defensive tackle Justin Jones ($7 million guaranteed), center Lucas Patrick ($4 million guaranteed) and wide receiver Byron Pringle ($3.9 million guaranteed).
