The Chicago Bears story for Ryan Poles didn’t begin in 2022. It actually saw its origins 14 years ago in 2008. That year he came out of Boston College as an undrafted free agent. One of the valued blockers that helped turn Matt Ryan into the #3 overall pick that year. The Bears liked what they saw from Poles and decided to sign him. Though the rookie survived until the final cut, he failed to make the team.
At that point, he had a decision to make. Either keep pursuing a playing career, likely ending up on practice squads, or try something else. Poles chose the latter. In this case, he decided to push into the realm of scouting. Though he might not be able to play anymore, he still wanted to be around football. It didn’t take long for people to realize the guy had a knack for the job. Just ten years after joining the Kansas City Chiefs scouting department in 2009, he was their director of player personnel.
Then, in a beautiful twist of fate, he came full circle back to Chicago as their new GM.
It is incredible how time flies. The Bears decided to give him a little surprise when he arrived at Halas Hall last month to sign his new contract. Cliff Stein, the man who negotiated his original player contract back in 2008, still had it on file. So he brought it to the building and slipped it to the new GM as he sat down at his desk. The expression of shock and smile on his face told the entire story.
Ryan Poles has come a long way since that day over a decade ago. It must’ve been so deflating when the Bears cut him that year. Yet rather than wallow in self-pity, the man chose to use it as fuel to better himself. Through relentless hard work, he became one of the hottest young executives in the league for an organization that rules the AFC. Then when he was ready, he made his triumphant return to Chicago. This time in the ultimate seat of power.
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A true rags to riches story they write movies about.
