Ryan Pole Hired as Bears GM

[BearsWillWin]

Was being a bit facetious on the first part. Yeah, Flus should have never been brought back (Thought it was an odd hire from its inception, but as I understand it, Poles was “managed” on that decision.).

On the second part, I’m with DJ in that the roster isn’t complete trash. Yes, we need a lot of help on both lines, but I haven’t seen any schemes concocted from our coaches to mitigate those weaknesses at all:

1) Short FORWARD passes

2) Use the middle of the field

Caleb just loooooooves him some deep sideline throws, and we just aren’t equipped to succeed that way, IMO.

3) And I don’t know how much of this is poor coaching, or having a rookie QB with his favorite target being a rookie WR or what, but I don’t get why the Bears don’t have a “scramble drill” in place, where WRs see their QB in trouble and just try to find space to make themselves a target…? That’s literally how the Chiefs operate, and probably accounts for half of Kelce’s career receiving yards and TDs. (Anyway, I know we aren’t the Chiefs)

Just my thoughts. I wouldn’t cry if Poles was let go, but I haven’t seen any liked some of his moves and aggressive trades, except the fact he doesn’t appear to value high 2nd round picks…

It's definitely not complete trash....it's just constructed poorly. And bad coaching has played a massive role as well, no doubt.

 

[averagejoe]

Well, for anyone hoping Poles gets the axe, read a seemingly legit article that both Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel would want their own GM if hired.

Might be a little awkward since Poles will be involved in the interview?

 

[Payton]

I do know that if the Bears pull a, “We’re smarter than everyone else!” snap hire before we get a chance to interview Johnson, or Kingsbury or Brady, I may very well renounce my fandom…

 

[richig07]

Well, for anyone hoping Poles gets the axe, read a seemingly legit article that both Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel would want their own GM if hired.

Might be a little awkward since Poles will be involved in the interview?

No, he wouldn't. If we're going after HC's with that in mind (that our core candidates want their own GM) - we would fire Poles following Sunday's game vs GB. We would not hire a new HC, fire our GM, and then hire a new GM. That wouldn't be how that works.

 

[BearsWillWin]

No, he wouldn't. If we're going after HC's with that in mind (that our core candidates want their own GM) - we would fire Poles following Sunday's game vs GB. We would not hire a new HC, fire our GM, and then hire a new GM. That wouldn't be how that works.

Have you met the McCaskey's? This is a franchise that fires it's coach but let's him do his morning media appointments first. And announces hirings before the candidate has agreed.

But seriously...in terms of Ben Johnson and what he wants in a GM...my guess would be Johnson would ask for a commitment from Poles that all roster moves are vetted through the head coach. You're right in that there is absolutely no way you're gonna let the GM hire a guy and then fire the GM. Even the Bears wouldn't do something like that.

There would probably be some sort of clause in the contract that the head coach can veto a move or have last say. That would be on par of the relationship Harbaugh has with Hortiz in LA. It would be somewhat unprecedented in Halas Hall as the last coach to hold that much sway was Mike Ditka. And the McCaskey's have shyed away from giving coaches too much power since those days.

But Poles has to know this coaching hire defines his career and whether he has a place in this league as a GM in the future. Get it right and the Bears win games and Poles can solidfy himself and win back the job security that seems to have shrunk. Get it wrong and next season might be his last and he's back to being a scout or personnel director of some sort. Probably ends up back in Kansas City like Nagy. Poles has to know the heat is on and I have to imagine he's smart enough to know that this coaching hire can't be some basic retread or unknown hire. I don't for the life of me understand how Vrabel could be a serious contender. And I don't think someone in Poles position can go that route. Not only do you need to hire someone that can win back the locker room and increase morale...you also need someone that can develop young talent. You also need someone that can blow some positive energy into a pissed off fanbase. If you accept that the Bears have finally found the QB this franchise has always needed then you also have to accept that this is the most important coaching hire in the history of the franchise.

I don't expect the McCaskey family to appreciate or understand any of those details. But I think Poles does. I don't think he's done enough as GM of this team and his mistakes are piling up but I do think he's smart enough to understand how important this hire is.

 

[wood20ks]

A story pretty much sums up Poles tenure here....it's a daming:

Stain from 2024 Bears Failure Doesn't Benefit GM Ryan Poles

Analysis: It's easy to wonder if Ryan Poles might be in more trouble than reports suggest when the team's record and his personnel acquisition are considered.

www.si.com