There is a growing belief among Chicago Bears media circles that General Manager Ryan Poles could be on his way out following this Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This speculation has been fueled by the team’s disappointing 2024 season and a series of questionable decisions under Poles’ leadership.
The midseason firing of head coach Matt Eberflus after an embarrassing Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions only added to the perception of dysfunction within the organization. What’s intriguing, however, is how quickly some Bears insiders, including content creators, beat writers, and reporters, have rallied around the narrative that Poles should be let go—despite his progress in certain areas of the team’s rebuild.
This is the same GM who inherited a deeply flawed franchise and set about cleaning up the mess. Poles tackled the Bears’ salary cap issues, significantly improving their financial flexibility. He also orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 offseason, flipping the No. 1 overall pick in exchange for a haul of draft capital that set the team up for the future. That trade positioned the Bears to select Caleb Williams, the dynamic quarterback from USC, with the top pick in the 2024 draft—a move many believed would usher in a new era of hope for the franchise.
An article by Khari Thompson on Windy City Gridiron, an SB Nation affiliate, recently sparked significant conversation regarding the future of Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. The piece, titled “This Should Be Ryan Poles’ Last Weekend with the Chicago Bears,” presents a bold argument that Poles’ tenure as GM should end following the team’s upcoming game against their archrival, the Green Bay Packers.
Thompson’s article delves into Poles’s numerous shortcomings and missteps during his time with the Bears while acknowledging the flashes of promise that made him a highly-touted hire just a few years ago. It’s a scathing critique of the decisions Poles have made—or failed to make—that have contributed to Chicago’s current struggles.
The article includes a particularly compelling excerpt that cuts to the heart of the issue: whether Poles have done enough to earn another year at the helm. While he was initially brought in to clean up the franchise’s roster and cap situation, and while moves like the blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 pick in 2024 gave fans hope, the continued dysfunction and lack of on-field results have many questioning his ability to lead the Bears into the future. The piece highlights Poles’ missteps, from retaining Matt Eberflus after the 2023 season to questionable roster construction decisions, including failure to adequately address the offensive line and supporting cast for Caleb Williams, the team’s franchise quarterback.
Thompson’s bold stance has fueled the ongoing debate about whether Poles deserve another shot to right the ship or if it’s time for the Bears to move in a different direction entirely.
“Sunday could be Ryan Poles’ last game as the Chicago Bears’ general manager, whether they defeat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field or not. (At this point, place your bets on “not” and prepare to wallow in all that alcohol you said you weren’t going to drink after New Year’s.)
Let’s be very frank: regardless of the outcome, the results say it should be Poles’ final day with the Bears.
Of course, you always have to ask The Question about everything involving the Bears: how much blame does Poles really deserve for how poorly things go with this dysfunctional franchise?
The objective for that 2022 season was clear: tear it all down, and obtain the pieces to start building anew. Poles inherited a terrible cap and roster situation from predecessor Ryan Pace, so file that 3-14 campaign under “whatever.”
2023 showed promise thanks to the epic Panthers trade haul, the Montez Sweat acquisition, and a more competitive 7-10 season that provided a glimpse of bigger things to come.
2024 was supposed to be the year it started coming together after getting the QB everyone desperately wanted (Caleb Williams), surrounding him with weapons, and ostensibly returning a very good defense.
But it all went to hell, and Poles’ mistakes along the way are part of the story.
The blown Chase Claypool trade
The inability to land difference-making free agents
Never adequately addressing the center position and poor offensive line depth, which is shocking for a former offensive lineman
Hiring the wrong offensive coordinator for his prized young QB and wasting the first half of his season because of it
Retaining Matt Eberflus after the 2023 season only to fire him less than a year later for predictably showing no improvement
Elevating Thomas Brown to interim head coach instead of continuing his rapport with Williams as a play caller and tabbing a more experienced coach, like special teams coach Richard Hightower (who was a head coach at the Shrine Bowl last year)
Others will compile more comprehensive lists of problems with what Poles and the Bears have done and break down his culpability.
But the fact remains that this series of unfortunate events has happened under his charge, and he can’t escape the consequences.
Great, he got the uber-talented QB in Williams that we hope will lead the Bears to a Super Bowl title one day. And no, he can’t be held responsible for every injury that left his offensive line in the lurch; most teams struggle when they’re down two spots on the depth chart.
If you had to pick one word to describe his tenure, though, can you honestly tell me you’d pick a positive one? Because “disappointment” is the first one that comes to my mind, not least because one of the very first promises he made — “We’re going to take the North and never give it back “ — has never been close to coming true (two divisional wins in three years).
As reductive as it may feel, teams, coaches, and general managers are eventually what their record says they are.
We ran Eberflus out on a rail for going 14-32.
We sent Justin Fields packing for Pittsburgh for, among other things, a 10-28 record as a starting QB here.
So what shall we do with their former boss, who has a 14-36 record through three years? Extend his contract?
(Wait … that’s exactly what the Bears did with Pace, who had a ledger of 14-34 through three years. It immediately resulted in a 12-4 season and then absolutely nothing else after that.)”
Does the situation in Chicago warrant the dismissal of Ryan Poles as the Bears’ general manager? In my opinion, no.
Let’s look at what Poles has accomplished during his tenure. He successfully cleaned up the team’s salary cap, acquired valuable draft picks, and secured what many believe to be the quarterback of the future in Caleb Williams. Poles has also added several playmakers on offense and defense, laying the foundation for a more competitive roster. However, where Poles truly misstepped—and this is a significant indictment of his leadership—is in retaining Matt Eberflus as head coach when he absolutely should not have.
Eberflus’ tenure should have ended after the 2023 season. Poles had the opportunity to make a clean break and start fresh, but instead, he chose to keep Eberflus on board, only to fire him midway through the 2024 season after predictable struggles. That decision ultimately delayed the team’s progress. Furthermore, Poles compounded the issue by pairing Caleb Williams, a young and highly promising quarterback, with the wrong offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. This move was another misstep that could hinder Williams’ early development. A young quarterback’s success is heavily dependent on the coaching staff around him, and you simply cannot afford to gamble with that position.
The Bears must prioritize hiring an offensive-minded head coach who can develop Williams properly. Poles had a chance to secure Ben Johnson at the end of last season—arguably one of the most coveted offensive minds in football—but missed out. This is where Poles’ judgment comes into question.
This Sunday’s game against the Packers should not mark the end of Poles’ tenure. Despite his mistakes, Poles has made meaningful strides in rebuilding the Bears’ roster and positioning the franchise for future success. He should be given another year to correct his errors, particularly in finding the right head coach and addressing key roster deficiencies, such as the offensive line. If Poles can make the right hires and refine his approach, Chicago can potentially emerge as a contender in the NFC North.
Another area where Ryan Poles has fallen short is the offensive line. This is a glaring issue, especially when developing a young quarterback like Caleb Williams. A strong, dependable offensive line is critical for success in today’s NFL, particularly when a rookie quarterback is trying to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
While Rome Odunze shows immense promise as a receiver to complement Caleb Williams, the Bears already had standout weapons in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who can provide Williams with reliable targets. Additionally, the team has a dynamic running back in D’Andre Swift, adding another layer of versatility to the offense. Yet, instead of addressing the offensive line with the additional draft picks the Bears had, Poles opted for other positions, leaving a key foundational need unaddressed.
Despite these missteps, Poles deserves another season to right the ship. His work in cleaning up the salary cap, acquiring draft capital, and assembling a roster that looks strong on paper shows he has the vision necessary to turn the Bears into a contender. However, Poles must address his blind spots by hiring the right head coach. A skilled head coach can help pinpoint and resolve the areas where the team has struggled most, whether offensive line protection or play-calling.
The decision to retain Matt Eberflus after the 2023 season was undoubtedly Poles’ biggest mistake. If Poles was set on keeping Eberflus, the least he could have done was hire a competent offensive coordinator to work with Caleb Williams. Unfortunately, Poles failed in this regard, further stalling the team’s progress. These decisions have understandably sparked criticism but don’t negate that Poles has built a roster with significant potential.
It’s also worth addressing the rumors that Poles was hesitant to bring in Ben Johnson as head coach because Johnson’s influence could threaten Poles’ position within the organization. Whether or not those reports are true, they highlight the importance of getting this hire right. The Bears cannot afford another cycle of instability, particularly after the long string of failed quarterbacks—from Mitchell Trubisky to Jay Cutler—who never lived up to expectations.
If Poles is given the chance to return, he needs to focus on securing a head coach with a strong offensive mind who can maximize Caleb Williams’ talent. Whether it’s a name like Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, or Brian Flores, Poles must make a decision that brings stability and direction to the franchise. Otherwise, the Bears risk falling into another prolonged period of mediocrity.
Bears fans should hope these rumors of Poles’ departure are unfounded. He has shown promise as a general manager, and with the right corrections, he could still lead the franchise back to relevance. The pieces are there, but the execution must align with the team’s aspirations, starting with coaching and offensive line upgrades. Poles has one more chance to prove he’s the right person to lead the Bears into the future, and I believe he should be given that opportunity.
