Despite an encouraging preseason, it took only one week of the 2023 season to raise questions about the Bears’ investments along both sides of the line of scrimmage.

General Manager Ryan Poles was clear about the need to upgrade both the offensive line and defensive front after they allowed 38 more sacks than they created during a 3-13-1 season a year ago. Justin Fields and his two backups were sacked an NFL-worst 58 times while the downsized defense was last in the league with only 20.

But there was no apparent improvement in the season-opening 38-20 loss to Green Bay. Fields was sacked four times while the Packers’ Jordan Love was sacked only once. He passed for 245 yards and three touchdowns while working without his top receiver, Christian Watson. Fields meanwhile was pressured so much he only targeted D.J. Moore twice.

This disparity wasn’t what anyone expected when Poles headed into the off-season with the most salary cap room in the NFL as well as a wealth of high draft picks. He chose to look more toward the draft than free agency, allowing the five most expensive offensive linemen to sign elsewhere before committing $30 million over three years to guard Nate Davis.