Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
If you’re underwhelmed by Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ tepid foray into the free agent market, keep in mind his biggest offseason expenditure was a huge win — signing cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76 million extension.
No matter how many needs the Bears have, signing home-grown players to well-deserved contract extensions is a much bigger key to Poles’ long-term success than filling holes in free agency.
If Poles is truly good at his job, he’ll need as much salary-cap wiggle room as he can get to sign his own players — guard Teven Jenkins, safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Kyler Gordon and eventually tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and any other drafted players who might emerge as playmakers.