In 2015, the Chicago Bears needed to hire a new general manager and head coach. After a careful search aided by former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, the team seemed to have zeroed in on Saints player personnel director Ryan Pace. The search for a head coach was then underway. Names like Dan Quinn and Todd Bowles were gaining steam. Then, four days later, Denver fired John Fox. Accorsi encouraged the Bears to consider him, feeling that a young GM like Pace would benefit from a veteran coach. George McCaskey agreed, all but taking the GM’s say out of the matter. For a long time, people wondered if the organization had done the exact same thing with Ryan Poles.
Keep in mind their coaching search started at the same time their GM one did in 2022. Once again, they were aided by a former GM, Bill Polian. It looked like their coaching search had narrowed to a short list of three names, including Matt Eberflus. That was when McCaskey closed the deal with Poles. Here is where the story gets murky. There was an indication from there that Poles met with the candidates the search committee liked. If he wasn’t sure about them, he was free to expand the search. Poles opted to hire Eberflus.
Lots of people don’t buy that story, believing the GM was more likely saddled with the coach just like Pace was nine years ago. Dave Kaplan of ESPN 1000 finally provided clarity. During his Kap & J.Hood program, he confirmed everything. Poles and Eberflus were indeed an “arranged marriage.”
Ryan Poles seemed to know what was coming this season.
Kaplan states that the GM had wanted to move on from Eberflus after last season, likely recognizing the need to reset the head coach along with the quarterback he planned to draft. The McCaskeys said no. He tried again after the 19-3 disaster against New England a few weeks ago. Again, they said no. At last, the fiasco in Detroit on national TV convinced ownership there was no point in continuing this charade. Eberflus was fired. Thomas Brown was promoted to interim head coach. Now Poles is left trying to clean up the mess.
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The irony should not be lost on anybody. This is almost the exact same timeline Pace was on a few years ago. Fox flopped after three years in charge. The McCaskeys gave Pace full authority to lead the next coaching search. He eventually landed on Matt Nagy. It met with early success, but quarterback problems and other factors led to a run that ended in disappointment. Ryan Poles will get the same courtesy. It was made clear at the latest presser the final say in the next coaching hire is his. Can he succeed where Pace failed? He certainly has the motivation to do so.
Gena- Please take this as Kevin Warren gospel!! It’s not taken out of context it’s what he said word for word!!! No changes for at least 2-4 yrs if any at all!! So please move on to your oline and line free agent and draft picks that poles didn’t pick. That is an actual topic. Please don’t respond with “has anything I said not true?, I’m waiting.”
It’s not about if you are wrong or right. It’s about reality!! I know it’s tough for you but you have to move on for yours and everyone’s sanity!!!
TGena- you cannot read between the lines???? I fad sad for you. I’ll draw you a picture. ( dont know why im doing it? Sympathy? Whatever !) Poles took the job only to build his resume, knowing he NEVER had full control. He hoped like all others who take the job of breaking thru to success. If you do this you will be immortal in Chicago. The McCaskeys hold all the keys to anything really meaningful with this team. If you think Kevin Warren has any real power here, you’re dead wrong. Hes here to build the stadium. Hes also… Read more »
In memory of the late great George Halas, I shall not dignify this “story” with a serious comment.
A GM-down housecleaning is coming to Halas Hall.
Why would Kevin Warren waste another year of Caleb Williams’ NFL rookie salary (and/or chance Caleb’s health to an offensive-line room comprised of 7 UDFAs under Ryan Poles) — just to confirm what we already know about Ryan Poles’ incompetence?
14-32 (.304) speaks louder than many fans realize — mainly because fans don’t consider what qualified coaches and top free agents are looking for.
@TWTY if only I took the time to even read what you wrote after the @David part. I’ve been conditioned to skip your comments because they have 0 substance, 0 intelligence, and nothing positive to say. I’d rather do pretty much anything else than read your “durrr/dolt gibberish”. You are the only person who can even understand what you write …….. I’ll save my time. I picture you as some uneducated blob living under a bridge.