It isn’t clear yet if Ryan Poles is truly the great GM he appears to be. Based on available information, all people can say is that he knows how to assemble a talented roster. The 2024 Chicago Bears, on paper, might be the best team this city has seen since 2018. A key difference is Poles managed to do it without mortgaging the team’s future. Ryan Pace gave up multiple future high draft choices to secure Mitch Trubisky and Khalil Mack. Poles just took two players in the 1st round this year and has three picks in the first two rounds next year. He also hasn’t settled the team with too many bloated contracts.
One question that hasn’t come up too often is why. Why did Poles take the job? We know why the Bears wanted him. Team chairman George McCaskey loved his interview and felt he was the type of leader the organization desperately needed. Many felt Poles was compelled to take the job because Chicago gave him his first opportunity in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008. That was part of it, but the GM admitted to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times that there was also another element to the decision.
His ego.
“It was going to be a huge challenge, but there’s a legacy part of this,” he told the Sun-Times. “To get the Chicago Bears back on top, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of noise. But if you get that right, that’s legendary stuff.”
Ryan Poles doesn’t fear a challenge. He relishes them.
Two other teams, the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, were interested in his services. Minnesota has been a regular contender for decades. Pushing them back into the Super Bowl mix wouldn’t have meant much. New York won championships in 2007 and 2011. While that was long ago, it wouldn’t have earned him true star status. Returning the Bears to the top of the NFL, a team that has three playoff wins in 29 years, is something historians would write books about.
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It is easy to forget that general managers are just as competitive as coaches and players. They’re obsessed with winning. They think about legacy, too. Ryan Poles may act calm and dignified for the cameras, but don’t be fooled. The guy has grand aspirations. He wants to be great. Since he wasn’t able to achieve that as a player, he made it his mission to do so as a GM. There is a long way to go, but nobody can deny he seems to have the Bears pointed in the right direction.
You’re such a numbers nerd, TGena. Just enjoy the season. We’re gonna kick some taint.
@jmscooby — Back then (2018) Tremaine Edmunds was high on my list; because I didn’t like Roquan Smith’s “clean-up” tackling style. However, I didn’t realize then, what I know now: Tremaine Edmunds arrives a beat late — consistently. It’s as if they swapped on-field personalities once they arrived in the NFL. “Can’t miss” Quenton Nelson was my #1 choice, until the Colts took him at #6 — So, when the Bears at #8, made Roquan their selection (and Edmunds was still on the board) I was miffed but it wasn’t as bad as losing “my guy” to Indy! Devon Witherspoon… Read more »
What if the main reason Poles selected Kiran in the 3rd is because he invested so heavily at the WR position when he selected Rome at #9? I think you and I both agree his coveted player was JC Latham, but ICBW.
Here’s my take. 2 guys I loved in the draft I wanted us to select when they came out? Tremaine Edmunds-I’m sorry, but I liked his length, and the way he moved. The other was Montez Sweat, but I’m a 4-3 guy, so he was an easy one. It’s just fortunate, it came around to be. I still think Van Ness would be a nice add if he ever is available and develops. I’ve said all along Witherspoon is the absolute best CB for our defense. Maybe one day. As far as P. Wilson. He can be a great prospect.… Read more »
2024 Preseason All-NFL Team: Jets’ Breece Hall among top 53 players entering new season CBS polled a half-dozen “…CBS Sports analysts to assemble a preseason All-NFL Team, identifying the top projected talent at every position across the league. . . The voters? Senior NFL writer Will Brinson, plus NFL writers Cody Benjamin, Jordan Dajani, Bryan DeArdo, Jared Dubin and Tyler Sullivan.” — Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports (9/2/24) _________________ Bears OT, Kiran Amegadjie (GM, Ryan Poles’ 3rd-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, at #75) wasn’t mentioned. However, the player that I hoped the Bears would choose, NC State LB, Payton Wilson, received… Read more »