Alignment has been the buzzword in the Chicago Bears media lately. This stems from the organization’s stubborn inability to line up its three most important positions: GM, head coach, and quarterback. This hasn’t been something they’ve been able to achieve for years. The closest they came was in 2017 and this year when the GM, who hired the head coach, drafted a quarterback. Unfortunately, the coach was fired after only one season in both situations. Now it appears the Bears are about to do it again, with GM Ryan Poles entering the off-season with only one year left on his contract.
Many are convinced this is a death sentence for the Bears, believing a lame-duck GM would virtually ensure none of the top candidates would want anything to do with their head coaching job. However, not everybody has that perspective. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune spoke with an executive from another team. He believes Poles’ contract situation might be a quiet advantage for the Bears.
Poles will have to be candid with someone he’s trying to hire, and when I wondered aloud during a chat with a personnel man for another team if Poles’ contract length could make the Bears undesirable, he went the other way.
“Not necessarily,” he said.
In fact, he said, it could make the job appealing. Take the job. Get to know Poles and his staff. Get a feeling for the dynamics in the building and see where the relationship goes. In the event it doesn’t work out, provided the coach remains on steady ground, he probably would have a strong say in the selection of the next GM.
“That’s pretty attractive, I think, to a high-level candidate,” the personnel man said.
The Bears might be using Ryan Poles as a chess piece.
Recent reports suggest they plan to meet with top candidates. Once they determine which one they like the most, a conversation will be had about whether that coach and Poles can work together. If so, the GM may receive a contract extension. However, if the coach isn’t willing to commit to a long-term relationship, the Bears can basically use 2025 as a trial run. If things go well, Poles can be extended after the season. If not, the team will be free to seek out a replacement. Likely somebody the coach knows or is familiar with.
It is an interesting perspective that makes sense. The tricky part is whether prospective coaching candidates have the big-picture mentality to think that far ahead. Some are only focused on the season ahead. Ryan Poles no doubt faces two challenges over the next month. Not only must he find the right leader for the franchise, but he must also sell that person on his qualities as a GM. Kevin Warren and George McCaskey made it pretty clear they’re not in a rush regarding his contract situation. The ball is in his court, but the clock is winding down.
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I feel like many of us have already stated this in the comments. These articles are ridiculous sometimes. Bears don’t have to make a gm move until next year they’re in no rush. The bears will land whatever coach they want the most I have no doubts about that. The job is too enticing even with a “lame duck gm”. This is a roster that a good coaching staff can can work with. Obviously we need help on the lines, but the team isn’t that far off. Next year they’ll be very motivated with all the new pieces coming in.
@Dr.Sallie: I’m way too old for a mid life crisis. Plus, I’m not in a state where I’ll start writing weird poetry on a sports chat website’s comments board. And for me, no thanks, that’s more than enough poetry already.
@unluckyirishman: Hatley drafted Urlacher. But he hit while Angelo was GM. If you recall, (or maybe you’re too young to remember), Urlacher was originally tried out at outside linebacker, but was beat out there by Rosie Colvin. They then tried him in the middle (don’t want to have a number 9 overall pick go to waste), and the rest is history. I remember years and years of Angelo trying to get a QB for the Bears. 2001-2008 was a mess, Miller, Matthews, Chandler, Burris, Stewart, Grossman, Krenzel, Hutchinson, Quinn, Orton, and Griese all underwhelmed. Then he made a huge trade… Read more »
Time has come today
Young Poles can go away
Don’t put it off another day
I don’t care what hyenas say
We don’t need to listen anyway
Time has come today.
I can’t turn Ben loose
If I do I’ll lose my mind
I can’t turn Ben loose now
I got to have him all the time.
Got more if you want it.
@Dr. Melhus…..your about to get schooled with facts because obviously you are a confused person…..
Mark Hatley drafted Urlacher not Angelo
Ryan Pace made the playoffs…twice with Nagy.
Angelo was only good because he had a good coach in Lovie??? Uuummmm arent GMs suppose to be able to hire good coaches??.