It’s been a quiet few days for the Chicago Bears on the free agency front after a busy first week. Now, general manager Ryan Poles is making some depth moves, starting with the addition of former Tennessee Titan Dylan Cole.
Cole has served mainly as a special teams contributor and depth at linebacker during his first six seasons with the Houston Texans and Titans. He’s played in 61 games, including nine starts, where he recorded 147 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble in his career.
Last season with Tennessee, Cole started in eight games at linebacker, where he totaled a career-high 64 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack.
Coles serves as the likely replacement for the departed Matt Adams, who was a key special teamer and provided depth at all three linebacker spots.
As you can imagine, there are plenty of jokes about how the Bears seem to be loading up on linebackers this offseason, after they signed Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, and how they’re signing yet another former Titan.
Here’s how Twitter is reacting to the move:
Poles signing another Linebacker like he's Thanos 😂😂😂 #Bears #ChicagoBears #BearDown #DaBears https://t.co/Pi8scMjefb pic.twitter.com/EfvlscNlvb
— Mike n Ike (@TheRealMikey09) March 23, 2023
Another Bargain. Great job Poles, can he pass protect?
Maybe sign another F–n Line Backer. https://t.co/rk8raRgsyr
— WayneSEMO (@AmericanObserv9) March 23, 2023
Bears get another athletic freak for depth/special teams https://t.co/xKHSsr4V5Z
— DeeksView (@DeeksViewOG) March 23, 2023
Current former #Titans on the #Bears:
FB Khari Blasingame
RG Nate Davis
DL DeMarcus Walker
LB Dylan Cole
K Cairo Santos
RB D'Onta Foreman
S Adrian ColbertThat is 11.2% of their current roster. https://t.co/VmSqxDOLfF
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) March 23, 2023
Came in for a tryout/visit with the #Bears yesterday. Adds a fantastic player to special teams and more depth between “Mike” and “Will.” https://t.co/NBPWMWxQBn
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) March 23, 2023
Poles said Bring me all the linebackers you have https://t.co/lBVsFOBO3W pic.twitter.com/0CQLO0BY37
— Jeff Berckes (@gridironborn) March 23, 2023
We want all the LBs… https://t.co/Yu3yWsNHTK
— Mr. Conrad (@DarrylConrad) March 23, 2023
An early day signing? Love it. Special teams and depth guy 💪 https://t.co/u3N0uIKeV3
— Tony Daly (@Tony_Daly) March 23, 2023
two first names, i know this dude is a special teams monster https://t.co/0x32mS46iy
— Craig (@Darnzeee91) March 23, 2023
The Chicago Titans https://t.co/819C1nBNgw
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) March 23, 2023
https://t.co/BYMcMWG8WG pic.twitter.com/n5dfNZBjiF
— Trey🤴🏽 (@TreyBizzy) March 23, 2023
Dylan Cole is the last piece to the Super Bowl puzzle. https://t.co/iHrYnYF14T
— BuffLlama (@JayDizzyD) March 23, 2023
Time to work on the o line and d line https://t.co/x0lnYb5UbX
— Mark (@TheLotWanderer) March 23, 2023
Was a beast on teams last year https://t.co/nT8Giavpxn
— Vincenzo (@HeHateV) March 23, 2023
Poles does know he can sign other positions besides LB and RB right? https://t.co/06a5doTl1e
— Chris B (@Chris_So_JDM) March 23, 2023
The Bears own all the linebackers now. https://t.co/kVFJBWq8v0
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) March 23, 2023
A solid special teamer. Bears needed to bolster that group after losing Matt Adams who played 83 percent of snaps on ST last year.
Cole played 73 percent of snaps on special teams last year and 43 percent (a career high) on defense for the Titans. https://t.co/UJVJES3WB0
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) March 23, 2023
91.2 special teams grade over the last two seasons is the highest among linebackers https://t.co/VQoidPw5Kj
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 23, 2023
bears gonna sign every LB in the league and im here for it https://t.co/7YMsLZauYX
— Bob Dobrowski (@BobDobrowski) March 23, 2023
He's a good special teamer…as a linebacker? Meh… https://t.co/RqEeQ1zvbd
— Caz Cray (@CazCray) March 23, 2023
Part of bouncing back from 3-14 is simply filling out the depths of the roster with competent, experienced players, which this seems like another example of. https://t.co/t5BR9a6W4k
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) March 23, 2023
Fairly quality player. Rebulding teams signing young maybes is never a bad move https://t.co/LucfseQUa6
— Jesse Bets 🇺🇦 (@BaconGamesJesse) March 23, 2023
Missouri State to the Bears you LOVE to see it. Solid depth signing! #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears https://t.co/7VrjeonMLg
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) March 23, 2023
Bears 🤝 Falcons
Signing former Titans players https://t.co/XPGqjO75TZ
— Gary Kester (@garykester) March 23, 2023
Depth wins championships! Nice signing to help fill in that line backing group. Injuries happen and having a room full of dudes who can step up is what makes the difference in this league! https://t.co/5ro5EZb8gx
— Da Bright Side Bear (@BrightSideBears) March 23, 2023
Another former Titan going to Chicago. https://t.co/lDQ3FpARI1
— The Titans Wire (@TheTitansWire) March 23, 2023
Solid depth at LB & very good ST value. #Bears https://t.co/RN7YkGpBrE
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 23, 2023
#Bears New Signing LB Dylan Cole had 60+ Tackles | 1 Sack |
He’s a Core Special Teamer & provides depth to a position that lost Nicholas Morrow & Matt Adams this week. pic.twitter.com/YOds6L4NtJ
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) March 23, 2023
New #Bears LB Dylan Cole had a career-high 64 tackles with the Titans last year.
Reliable backup MIKE with plenty of special teams value. Also has a 9.89 #RAS with a 4.54 at his Pro Day back in 2017, FWIW.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 23, 2023
New #Bears LB/ST Dylan Cole had a career high 64 tackles last season.
An impressive special teamer who showed promise when thrusted into a bigger role with the Titans.
pic.twitter.com/GcfbVVvIK6— Josh DeLuca (@JoshDeLuca4) March 23, 2023
