The Chicago Bears met with 17 candidates for their head coaching position over the course of two weeks. GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren wanted to make sure they collected as much information as possible, getting a sense of their options while also seeing how others view the organization. However, Poles made it clear from the outset that his sights were set on one man: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He knew this around Christmas time in December.
That was largely thanks to a ludicrous amount of research the Bears GM had done. Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, revealed as much during a conversation with Bill Zimmerman on the Bears Banter podcast. It became clear right away once Johnson spoke with the team that Poles had done his homework. Smith claims he dug far into the coach’s background, from his playing days at North Carolina to his graduate assistant roots at Boston College.
Ryan Poles approached Johnson as if he were drafting a quarterback.
Everybody knows when you plan to take one, an enormous amount of research is put into it because of how vital that position is to get right. Ryan Poles was relentless in his evaluation of Caleb Williams for months once it became clear the Bears were getting the #1 pick. It appears after the slacking approach to how Matt Eberflus was hired three years ago; there were no plans to make the same mistake this time. Poles needed every detail he could scrounge before making the best-informed decision he could. Once the two seemed to click in their interview, everything came together. It was easily the most celebrated hiring by Bears fans in many years. If it works out as hoped, Poles will go down as one of the great folk heroes in Chicago sports history.
Austin is the only place in Texas I could live in for a week. The state needs an income tax to become civilized.
Dr steven, I think poles biggest problem, trying to sound and act smarter than necessary. So much corporate BS speak. I knew fluss wasn’t it from first pressers when he wouldn’t look press in the eye giving answers. Didn’t need research. Ben, completely different animal. Remember, Ben is friends with the king guy who is poles #3, I am sure that is where a lot of communication went through. If poles did this, then I go back to the over thinking’, most times, simplest answer is correct and sitting in front of you, your job as GM, most of time,… Read more »
Well bear down, you don’t actually have to include TX in your name, your post would clue people in. There isn’t a GM in the league who would trade Carter for Dexter, wright and Taylor. Wright graded out middle of the road , above average run blocking, below average pass blocking, more penalties than he should have. Taylor was good but not close to worth a fourth rd pick when undrafted punters did better. Seriously, Dexter plays 3 tech, but just isn’t. Go cheer for cowboys, you will fit in better, there fans and owners are clueless too. Right now,… Read more »
Nurse Sally, first you got kicked out of Chicago State, then went to San Fran State. Now you are claiming Berkeley and Ann arbor, and possibly Stanford and Harvard. You are the one who probably went to a local, wherever that is, junior college and are waiting for the Democrats to pay your over due college loans. And you are the one calling me a liar? What a pussy cat! Keep meowing.
@amv74 Don’t buy into the ugly and twisted Hyena spin. They were proven incorrect most of the year. Be a realistic proud Lion like TGena, Tred, myself, of course, and a few others.