Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles made it clear before the season that he was confident in the team’s talent along the offensive line. He feels it is by far the deepest unit he’s put together since taking over in 2022. They had performed well last year. His optimism was palpable. So it must’ve been incredibly frustrating watching the line struggle through the season’s first two weeks. Not only have they allowed nine sacks on quarterback Caleb Williams, but they haven’t gotten any of their running backs going in the ground game. D’Andre Swift is averaging two yards per carry.
Poles appeared on the ESPN 1000 PreGame Show to discuss the team’s current status. Inevitably, the offensive line came up. He didn’t mince words. In his mind, their struggles had nothing to do with talent. It was all about communication, technique, and fundamental issues.
It is hard to read that and not think it is a direct indictment of offensive line coach Chris Morgan. He is the one responsible for getting his players ready. The fact they’ve looked so unprepared falls at his feet, and it sounds like Poles is running out of patience.
Ryan Poles’ message is a reminder about accountability.
It can’t be exclusive to the players. Teams must hold the coaches accountable, too. It would be one thing if the offensive line was undermanned and didn’t have the talent to compete. However, this group does. They proved it last year with some quality performances. For them to look this out of sorts doesn’t compute. Yes, the team switched offensive systems under Shane Waldron, but that doesn’t explain the gross decline in execution. That speaks to players who aren’t disciplined enough.
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Remember, the team dismissed the entire offensive coaching staff this off-season, with the exception of Morgan. They felt he’d done a great job developing younger guys like Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, so keeping him around made sense at the time. This recent start doesn’t reflect well on him. Ryan Poles made that clear. It falls on him to get the situation fixed. If he can’t, don’t be surprised if the Bears seek out a replacement at some point in the near future.
If we had issues with 1 or 2 lineman, say… Davis or Shelton it would be one thing but the fact that the whole line seems to be going backward, screams Coaching. That’s not enough proof? Try the fact that every player we let go, almost to a man, seems to do better elsewhere. Coaching. It also is fuel for why Poles can make the statement that the players are acceptable talent. To another point, every HEAD coach we have had here since Mike Ditka left fits the same personna. Nice guy, players coach, etc etc etc, they don’t want… Read more »
Man, what a joke this is!! Does Poles look in the mirror when he says this stuff?? He wastes a 2nd round pick on Claypool, he wastes a 3rd round pick on Velus Jones and he apparently wasted $30M on Nate Davis. Exactly what does this guy do before he signs these players? Does he have a dartboard in his office that he uses to make these decisions?? Well, if he does he’d better put the names of some decent offensive linemen on that dartboard before next season. Our situation is bleak and there is no quick fix. No coach… Read more »
Bears shouldn’t be going into game three trying to figure out who their starting offensive line is. That should have been ironed out in preseason. Why is it they can’t even figure out who the back-ups are. This position needs to be fixed by starting at the top, that’s the O-line coach. The line looked bad last year, who was the coach, Morgan. But at least they could run the ball. What did they do, give Morgan the running coach job and now that sucks. The common denominator is Morgan.
Why do abysmal starts and games FINALLY bring up deficient coaching? Look at each position group. Regardless of draft position and contract status, EVERY SINGLE PLAYER needs to be contributory. If not, that position coach isn’t coaching.
Let’s assume in our society, some people are gifted physically. Some are driven and some have a background of intelligence and work ethic. What about the rest? On a five man front, are they all gifted, driven, intelligent? How many decades are you going to draft before you get five? What about your other positions? Your defense?
It’s the coaching.
@veece….after 3 tries running up the gut to get a yard i would of just called Billings out there and hand it off to him. That playcalling was horrendous.