BREAKING: Chicago Bears Sign Veteran Guard Will Fries After Missing Out on Trey Smith in Free Agency.
The Chicago Bears have made a significant move to reinforce their offensive line by signing veteran guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts. This acquisition comes after the Bears were unable to secure Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who remained with the Chiefs through free agency.
Bears Pivot to Plan B After Losing Trey Smith
The Bears were one of several teams aggressively pursuing Trey Smith, hoping to land the talented guard to anchor their offensive line. Smith, a key part of Kansas City’s Super Bowl-winning unit, was expected to hit free agency, but the Chiefs made a strong push to retain him. Ultimately, the Bears lost out as Kansas City secured Smith’s services, leaving Chicago to shift its focus to other options.
Enter Will Fries. The 6-foot-6, 309-pound guard has been a solid contributor for the Colts since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While not as high-profile as Smith, Fries has proven himself as a capable interior lineman with starting experience. The Bears front office, led by general manager Ryan Poles, quickly pivoted to secure Fries, ensuring they wouldn’t be left empty-handed in free agency.
What Will Fries Brings to Chicago
Fries started all 17 games for the Colts last season, displaying durability and reliability. While Indianapolis struggled at times offensively, Fries was a bright spot, particularly in the run game, where he helped pave the way for Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss.
The Bears have been looking to solidify their offensive line to protect quarterback Justin Fields (or potentially a new signal-caller if the team selects one in the 2024 NFL Draft). Chicago’s offensive struggles in recent seasons have been linked to inconsistent line play, making Fries a valuable addition to their rebuilding efforts.
Key Strengths of Fries:
Versatility: Fries has played both guard positions, giving the Bears flexibility in how they configure their line.
Pass Protection: While he’s more known for his run blocking, Fries showed improvement in pass protection last season, an area where Chicago desperately needs consistency.
Experience: Despite being a mid-to-late-round draft pick, Fries has gained valuable starting experience in Indianapolis, proving he can handle NFL competition.
Bears’ Offseason Strategy Moving Forward
While Fries is a solid signing, Bears fans may still feel disappointed about missing out on Smith, who would have been a massive upgrade at the guard position. However, the team is expected to continue exploring additional offensive line improvements through free agency and the draft.
With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Chicago has the opportunity to reshape its offense, whether by selecting a franchise quarterback or trading down to acquire additional assets. Strengthening the offensive line remains a priority, and the Bears could still target another lineman in the draft to pair with Fries.
Additionally, Chicago may look at other free-agent linemen to add more depth, ensuring that they have a strong and cohesive unit heading into the 2024 season.
Final Thoughts
While Will Fries may not have been the Bears’ first-choice signing, he represents a quality addition to an offensive line that needs reinforcements. His experience, durability, and versatility should make him a key contributor in Chicago’s quest to build a more stable offense.
With free agency still ongoing and the draft approaching, the Bears’ offseason plans are far from complete. However, the signing of Fries shows that Chicago is committed to strengthening the trenches and providing their offense with a better chance to succeed in the upcoming season.
