Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren vowed they would work together to turn around the Chicago Bears despite how they came together. Poles was hired as GM in 2022, where he was promised a direct line of communication to ownership. However, that changed when Warren was hired as team president, creating an obstacle to that line. Even so, nothing seemed amiss even after the team fired head coach Matt Eberflus last month. Warren insisted Poles would remain the GM and lead the search for a replacement.
However, some felt the air had changed. Poles looked defeated at the most recent press conference. Warren seemed like somebody who’d seized control and planned to keep it that way. It has led to constant speculation about whether this partnership was destined for separation. To know for sure, two pieces of information are necessary. First is Poles’ job security. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog confirmed widespread speculation that the Bears GM is far from safe, especially if the team’s desired coach is wary of working with him.
Hughes further confirmed the other piece of the puzzle. Despite what he may say publicly, Warren is throwing his weight around more than ever before.
Ryan Poles could’ve avoided this mess.
If he’d managed to hire the right coach and put together a competitive roster, he likely would’ve had enough sway to avoid Warren’s power play. Unfortunately, his willingness to not only hire Eberflus but then double down on him this past off-season sealed his fate. While he may still have the support of George McCaskey and others inside Halas Hall, the goodwill he had with fans and the media has all but evaporated. Most want him gone due to the coaching fiasco and his negligence in the trenches.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Everything seems to hinge on the coaching search. At some point, a coach will emerge from the field as the guy Warren feels the organization has to have, be it Ben Johnson or somebody else. If said coach expresses reluctance about working with Ryan Poles, we have confirmation that the organization will move on from him. He must do everything in his power to sell himself as much as the organization for the next month.
I just can’t understand this push for Poles from many of you. Ppl acting like Poles hasn’t had the assets to make this a much better roster than what it is, is just bullshit. He has had the ability to do it, but he has missed on far more players than he hit on. That’s the bottom line. Yes, every GM has misses. But good GM’s don’t have a good bit more misses than hits. You can’t beat good teams with a roster filled with “ok” players. I do believe Poles will be back next year, and it is what… Read more »
Funny how Arnie states the obvious. But many here couldnt see this till yesterday. Suddenly many of Poles moves don’t look so bad do they? And as far as one, I think the real problem with Kevin Warren, no one is actually 100% sure what his actual job title entails.? Supposedly was hired to come here take over Ted Phillips job and build the stadium and all of a sudden he’s a mouthpiece pushing and saying that he’s going to run everything, and he seems to be at first in locked step with Poles and now not in tune with… Read more »
Preach, Arnie! Don’t forget Dan Bazuin. “You learn more the first year OTJ, than you did in school.” is something I’ve heard many times. If Ben J is our target, both he and Warren are checking to see if Poles is on the same page. Poles worked under 3 GMs, so hopefully, change, adapting, and growth can occur. Is it worth it to let this happen, or completely erase the board and start over? JMHO, but Poles placed way too much hope in his OL coming together, in order to build up a WR unit when there still is only… Read more »
I’m the final analysis Warren is a corporate guy who is mainly concerned with his job security. He buys himself another 2-3 years by hiring a new GM. If a miracle occurs lol and the new GM and coach are successful he has a lifetime job and they’ll build a statue of him on Michigan Ave. lol That’s why more than likely Poles is going. As most of you know I have a different opinion of Poles and feel he should be given one more year to execute on the draft picks he acquired and new free agent signings and… Read more »
One blog quoting another as a reputable source is a disservice to the reader. SM has become a regular read for me and I like the product. Stick to journalistic standards and you will reap benefits in the long run.