Ryan Poles faces lots of challenges this off-season. He has more cap space than anybody in the NFL. He also has the #1 overall pick. That brings a lot of pressure but also a lot of opportunities. If he plays his cards right, the young GM can set this organization up for lots of success in the near future. It comes down to how he handles the outside noise. Plenty of people have opinions on how he should navigate the next few months. Most are calling for an ultra-aggressive approach. Attack the free agent market and build around Justin Fields. The time is now.
One person that doesn’t see that happening is Scott Pioli. The former Kansas City Chiefs GM knows Poles well. He was the one who gave the man his first job in the scouting business back in 2009. The two spent four seasons together. During that time, Pioli developed a good sense of the person Poles was and the executive he could become. One thing is for sure. That outside noise means nothing, as he told Chris Emma of Marquee Sports Network. Poles learned to navigate chaotic situations as an offensive lineman. By comparison, this type of pressure is easy. Once his plan is set, the Bears GM will execute it, even if it takes time.
“He’s trying to build a program and build something that sustains. He’s not just going to throw money and throw things around. He’s got a plan and it’s going to take some time.”
“He’s being methodical,” Pioli said. “He has a plan. He has an idea.”
Ryan Poles isn’t interested in quick fixes.
He openly stated that this was a constant problem facing the Bears. They’d build a foundation of young talent but then lose sight of their original vision. They’d start relying more on free agency and aggressive trades. Before too long, they’d run out of resources, the team would get old, and things would fall apart. It happened to Jerry Angelo. It happened to Ryan Pace. Poles has no intention of letting it happen to him. His goal from the outset was to build this team through the draft. That hasn’t changed.
In some ways, Ryan Poles is another version of Theo Epstein. He warned when he took over the Chicago Cubs that it would take time to rebuild the foundation into something sustainable. Three years later, the team embarked on their eventual push to a World Series championship. Poles is doing the same. He’s sacrificing short-term success for long-term stability. It requires patience. Not an easy thing to request from a fanbase deprived of winning for most of the past decade. Either way, Poles is determined upon this course.
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I get that teams have systems they use to determine fair value. It makes sense. However, a teams needs and opportunity to improve, especially at the most critical position in football, will drive just how far a team will go beyond what their model deems fair. This is the arguably the most exciting offseason in Bears history and it will be crazy. I just plan to sit back with my popcorn and enjoy the show.
Jim B. That definition of insanity you presented is one that was originated by Albert Einstein. Not sure Webster’s Dictionary has the same definition, and if it is in Webster’s Dictionary he plagiarized it from Albert.
So I guess you guys don’t think picking up Brisker, Gordon and B Jones was all that great? Or they aren’t part of the build? Hell he even picked up a permanent punter in Gill. No one talks about it because he has one of those positions no one notices unless a play goes bad. Yes, this year is critical. I have said it myself. This is the year Poles shows us how good he really is. But I also think you feel like all he did was tear it down. He didn’t. Did he have misses? Of course he… Read more »
We’re sure tooting Ryan Poles’ horn prematurely. Arguably. his resume is similar to that of his predessor Ryan Pace. Same trumpeting of sound, “Yaddy, yaddy. yah.” This coming season will be the first measure of his work in progress. His first season he dismantled the Bears – which they needed – but any fan off the street could have done that. To me, if Claypool isn’t an NFL star this year it means the Bears gave up the 33rd pick, first in the 2nd round, for Claypool. Think about that as the Bears mull over picking WR in the draft,… Read more »
Payne 25 davenport 26 o lineman from Atlanta is 27 Truman edmans.thats almost the same as building in draft just avoid signing 30 plus year olds.may one are to on couple year contract to help young guys.