Bears president Kevin Warren said Ryan Poles will remain in his role as the team’s GM.
Warren also added that he and Poles “need to work hand in hand” during the team’s search for yet another head coach. Poles was hired as the Bears’ general manager in 2022 after spending 13 seasons with the Chiefs in a number of scouting and player personnel roles. He was instrumental in orchestrating a 2023 trade with the Panthers that led to the Bears acquiring what ended up being the No. 1overall pick in the 2024 draft, which led to the team taking Caleb Williams earlier this year. Of course, he also has some less-than-stellar marks on his resumé, like the hiring of former head coach Matt Eberflus and trading a second-round pick for Chase Claypool, who never played a full season with the team. The Bears roster is better than it was when Poles first arrived, but they still have a way to go before being competitive. A competent head coach and offensive coordinator could go a long way in this team turning the corner in what is a highly-competitive NFC North. It’s sure to be another interesting offseason for the Bears, who are about to embark on their fifth head coaching search since hiring Marc Trestman in 2013.