For the first time since their matchup against the Washington Commanders, it felt like there was hope for the Chicago Bears to win. Many thought firing Matt Eberflus will magically solve their problems. It didn’t. The Bears delivered a disappointing performance against the San Francisco 49ers, and now the focus of blame has shifted to General Manager Ryan Poles.
Is Ryan Poles a Good GM?
I don’t think I can even answer that question. Which is the biggest indictment of his regime as GM.
— Irish Bears Network | Ciaran (@IrishBearsShow) December 9, 2024
An Unpredictable Situation Is Brewing with Bears General Manager Ryan Poles
As someone who once held Ryan Poles in high regard, imagining a scenario where the Bears part ways with him felt unlikely. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly evident that his tenure may be nearing its end.
Poles hired this coaching staff. A coaching staff that has severely underperformed and failed to meet expectations. He let key players like David Montgomery, Roquan Smith, and James Daniels leave, replacing them with D’Andre Swift, Tremaine Edmunds, and Nate Davis. Hindsight makes it painfully clear which trio would have been better for the Bears.
He essentially traded Khalil Mack for Jaquan Brisker, gave up a second-round pick for Chase Claypool, and used third-round picks on Velus Jones, Zacch Pickens, and Kiran Amegadije. This track record doesn’t scream “Super Bowl-caliber GM.” Poles also missed on several blue-chip draft prospects and has failed to establish a winning culture, leaving fans questioning whether he should remain in charge.
Conservative Mindset Has Dug the Bears in a Huge Hole
While his initial teardown of the roster was logical, the Bears no longer need to sit on $60+ million in cap space every offseason. The time to spend money should have rung in Poles’ head as soon as the Bears landed the first overall pick last season, but his conservative mindset has figuratively cost the team.
There has never been a team in the history of the NFL with horrible talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Never. It almost feels like a punch in the gut when Poles admitted he was proud of the depth on the offensive line before the season started. Every single position aside from right tackle needs a complete overhaul. It’s embarrassing drafting a talent like Caleb Williams and throwing him out there with an abysmal offensive line.
Watch Braxton Jones. Like come on man pic.twitter.com/K5fwM7xXpX
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 9, 2024
Same thing with the defensive line. Aside from trading a second-round pick for Montez Sweat and drafting Gervon Dexter Sr. in the second round, the defensive line continues to massively underperform. Using a third-round pick on Zacch Pickens who appears to be a bust and failing to sign another top-tier pass rusher to complement Sweat is on Poles. The defense is starting to break apart, and it stems from the defensive line.
Outlook Moving Forward
At this point, the bad is starting to outweigh the good. Aside from the Carolina Panthers trade, what good has Ryan Poles done to this organization? It sucks to have to ask the question of whether the GM or head coach should be fired every couple of seasons, but it’s the reality for the Bears. Unfortunately, the team is stuck in a vicious cycle of blame. Without a change in ownership, this trend will likely continue.
Poles is the latest in line to bear the criticism. While he deserves accountability for this season’s failures, the upcoming offseason is his last chance. If he doesn’t excel in free agency and the draft, it’s time for the Bears to move on.
Main Image: Jamie Sabau – USA Today Sports
