It appears that the job security of Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles is secure.
During a week where we heard from Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields discussing their futures with the team, there was noticeably little talk about the status of General Manager Ryan Poles.
You might be wondering why Poles isn't under scrutiny, particularly if you believe that aligning the general manager, head coach, and quarterback on the same timeline could be a rare opportunity for Chicago's football team. I've pondered that thought myself, especially after reports suggested that Bears President Warren wanted to have more involvement in football operations. Maybe that's what Warren intends to do.
However, it seems clear that Kevin Warren is in sync with Poles, trusting him to lead the way in the future. A passage from the latest article by the Tribune's Dan Wiederer caught my attention and led me to this conclusion:
Warren and Poles established a strong connection almost instantly, characterized by sincerity and honesty.
Warren's admiration for Poles went beyond professional appreciation; it was a deep and profound sentiment.
"I have such strong feelings about him," Warren told the Tribune at his office at 1920 Football Drive. "(It's) the way I feel about people in my family. I want the best for him."
When you have that kind of connection, it's significant, right?
It may be too early to definitively say that Poles is safe from potential changes in an offseason of transitions. But my interpretation of the above passage is that Poles likely feels secure. The Warren-Poles partnership plays a part in it, as does the fact that Poles' transactions have generally been more positive than negative at this stage. To be clear, nothing is set in stone, but things seem to be leaning in a particular direction.
With Head Coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields addressing their futures with the team this week, it got me thinking: Could the Chicago Bears have one of the most appealing jobs in football?
If the Bears were to part ways with Eberflus and Fields, would that make their job opening the top choice in the NFL? It's not often that a general manager gets the chance to select a head coach and pair them with a quarterback draft prospect. From a logistical standpoint, the Bears could choose the best available QB prospect and pair them with the most sought-after offensive-minded head coach on the market. That alone would make it an enticing job for this offseason. I wonder if Bears GM Ryan Poles contemplates this scenario as much as I do.
If you value continuity, perhaps it's a good thing that the Bears don't appear to be removing Poles from his general manager role. Trying to hire both a GM and head coach while also scouting for a quarterback replacement seems like a daunting task that a franchise would undertake all at once. Such extensive turnover at once could have negative consequences, especially when it comes to scouting, as holdovers from the previous regime might be making decisions for a GM who could be inclined to overhaul the scouting department when contracts expire after the NFL Draft.
I'm not necessarily opposed to significant changes, but I recognize that this isn't happening in isolation. It's not a simulation; it involves numerous real, moving parts that need careful consideration.
Ultimately, the key takeaway is that we are starting to gain some clarity about the Bears' future. There are still five games left in the season, and while no single game will radically alter opinions about the team's state, the end is approaching, and with it will come new beginnings. Stay tuned.
| POLL | ||
9 DECEMBRE | 46 ANSWERS It appears that the job security of Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles is secure. Will Ryan Poles keep his job? | ||
| Yes | 38 | 82.6 % |
| No | 8 | 17.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
