Something odd is happening at Halas Hall. A few weeks ago, Adam Jahns of The Athletic revealed that GM Ryan Poles signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Bears in 2022. That means he only has one season left going into 2025. Logic says that they have two options on the table: either fire him or give him a contract extension. This way, prospective head coaches don’t have to worry about the possibility of the general manager being out after just one season, leading to more organizational chaos. Team president Kevin Warren was asked about this on Tuesday.
Let’s just say his answer was head-spinning. Rather than offering assurances that the situation would work itself out, Warren stated clearly that Poles is operating on a one-year deal now. He phrased it as, “When we say long term, a year is a lifetime.” In other words, the Bears don’t seem inclined to reward him with an extension, but at the same time, they will give him direct power in hiring the next head coach. You wonder why people question the intelligence of the organizational higher-ups? It’s because of moments like this.
Kevin Warren isn’t even the first one to do this.
The same thing happened in 2004. Jerry Angelo was going into the last season of his contract as GM. Even so, team chairman Michael McCaskey allowed him to hire the next head coach. By some miracle, it worked out. The Bears landed Lovie Smith and embarked on their most successful run of the past 40 years. That doesn’t make the process advisable. If things don’t work out in 2025, there is a realistic possibility the Bears let Poles walk in 2026 and bring in a new GM who had no say in hiring the head coach. That almost always leads to an inevitable change down the line.
Are you starting to see the vicious cycle yet? Maybe Kevin Warren is trying to pressure Poles. Nothing motivates somebody to operate at their best more than the threat of losing their job. It worked out for Angelo. Perhaps Poles will operate smarter under a cloud of discomfort. Either that or the Bears are waiting to see if their desired head coach is willing to work with the GM. If so, an extension would likely follow. Until then, it seems as if Poles will be operating in limbo.
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I hate to think it or believe it, but I think @David is correct in his assumption. If Poles is not extended, I don’t see a tier 1 coach coming to Chicago. They give TB and Poles a 1 year prove it deal. If it works they’re extended, if not they’re out. Past history says it won’t work, but at least the Bears or consistent at screwing up.
During a long season or a single game or even a half of a game, RB Montgomery punishes and wears down a defensive line like he did for Herbert and now for Gibbs. He is steady and reliable. He has a real presence on the field. I would take Monty over Swift almost any day. He does not need to be a long threat to score. Leave that latter for Gibbs. With the right blocking schemes, both Monty and Herbert are better RBs than simple runner Swift.
Give him a one year extension then fire him after one year and pay him for that extra year if we don’t show marked improvement OR give him a longer extension if he does well.
@Dr. Steven Sallie….my apologies your right. I shouldnt of done that to the real 3 stooges
So what. So Poles has to make the right hire. And add players that the new coach is willing to coach. The last year on his contract can turn into many more if he gets those things correct. Besides Warren is signing off on any Poles hire. So it’s on him just as much. And George because he has to be willing to pay prospective coach what it takes to get him in the building. So much panic and negativity over one statement. The whole notion of the coach and GM having the same time line is nonsense. Poles doesn’t… Read more »