What was he trying to build? You are ignoring that it is now fully apparent that Poles had a complete tear down in mind. What would be the logic for signing Byron Pringle, negating a 4th round pick the next season when you always planned to tear it down even in season? How is a one year contract to Pringle "building " anything?
I’m not sure you’re correct. I think Poles had two purposes for this year. The primary purpose was to create a “floor”. As part of this floor, he needed to audition talent.
Pringle looked like what he’s looking for, a big slot that can block and consistently move the chains. We actually don’t have this, either as an F TE or as a Z/slot. Poles took a shot on a vet that he probably knew and had some input drafting. In that context, Pringle, donuts and all, was worth a 4th. At this point, there is a floor of talent to build on. I’m not sure Pringle is in future plans, but at least we know this due to praxis and not conjecture.
As for your 1st 2 sentences.
Has
@BaBaBlacksheep said the Bears should wait until post June1st this next offseason? Or are you just creating a strawman?
And the Bears "current situation," is not at all like last years situation. As is now quite obvious Poles goal last offseason and this season was to strip the team to the bones and acquire draft capital.
I think acquiring draft capital was a secondary purpose, primary being having a team that’ll punch a motherfucker in the jaw and never die, even when up against the top teams. He has that in spades. As far as draft capital, nope. I think Poles sees that as the price of business. For example, he took one good look at this WR draft class and, in my opinion, correctly surmised that Claypool was a better talent than the trash at X coming out this year. This is a great year for slot receivers, boundary? Not so much.
So, no, the acquiring of draft capital was secondary. Both of the D trades, especially Quin, he made in the season were finalized at the 11th hour, again, my analysis, in order to facilitate team growth on their leadership.
The primary purpose for this year was to put tougher a scrappy team of fighters that won’t die easy. Poles has not prioritized draft capital, but he will welcome it only after the prioritization of team building.
And signing Pringle( or pick any of the failed vet signings) to a 1 yr deal stripped the Bears of a 4th round comp pick.
A 4th round pick for a potential slot is fine.
This offseason is going to actually be about "building," and there isn't a single Bears player that they will lose that is going to be worth anything close to what the Bears lost be negating AR's comp pick, likely not a single comp pick to cancel out at all.
I’m not sure. In hindsight, after realizing what Pringle is, I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept him a year or two more to help bring along whatever rookie slot they draft. Again, well worth a 4th. There’s a cost correlative that Poles is doing well, again, in my opinion.