How the Chicago Bears sent a big message to rest of the NFC North on Monday

When the Chicago Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers last week, it seemingly signaled that the franchise wasn't planning to compete in 2022, and instead they would focus on building a strong team in 2023 and beyond. But that wasn't the message at all. Sure, trading Mack gives the Bears flexibility in […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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When the Chicago Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers last week, it seemingly signaled that the franchise wasn't planning to compete in 2022, and instead they would focus on building a strong team in 2023 and beyond.

But that wasn't the message at all.

Sure, trading Mack gives the Bears flexibility in the future. And new general manager Ryan Poles certainly has a long-term plan that he intends to execute.

The Bears, however, aren't punting the 2022 season. They still plan to compete. And that much was evidenced on Monday by their decision to sign Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (he can't officially sign until Wednesday).

Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) picks up the fumble during the first quarter in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) picks up the fumble during the first quarter in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Ogunjobi is a 27-year-old defensive tackle who is coming off a career year in 2021. The New Jersey native totaled seven sacks, 49 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss last season. Cincinnati's pass-rushing unit was the worst in the NFL in 2020. In 2021, Ogunjobi's only season with the Bengals, Cincinnati ranked No. 11 in sacks.

This move from the Bears tells us — and the rest of the NFC North — two things.

  1. The Bears aren't planning to be pushovers in 2022. They may not win the division or make the playoffs, but they're going to give opponents a tough game every week. There will be no off weeks when you play Chicago next season.
  2. The Bears are going to be a mean team under Matt Eberflus. Signing a player like Ogunjobi as the opening move in free agency signals that Poles and Eberflus are building a team that's going to be nasty in the trenches and wins with toughness and grittiness.

There are going to be some growing pains for the Bears as Poles and Eberflus learn how to navigate their new positions. But they have a plan. And it's a plan that should be extremely exciting to fans. Just be patient. Chicago is going to be feared again. And it could be sooner than you think.

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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