Ryan Poles was asked about Matt Eberflus's job security for the first time this past week. Unsurprisingly, the GM made it clear he remains 100% behind the Chicago Bears head coach. This is hardly a surprise. The two have a relationship going back years. They're committed to the same vision for this organization, knowing a full rebuild would be rocky. Besides, it's not like Poles could say anything else publicly. He has to stand by his coach, regardless of the speculation about his job security.
However, the facts remain. Eberflus is 5-20. His defense still isn't even average, ranking 28th in points allowed. Two assistants have been dismissed from his staff by the Bears HR department. Justin Fields hasn't progressed as a quarterback. Nothing has gone right. Unless he can put together some wins over the final nine games, it will be impossible to justify keeping him. If the Bears give Poles a chance to pick a replacement, here are names worth watching.
Direct Ryan Poles connections:
Eric Bieniemy (Washington Commanders OC)
This one is the most obvious. Poles and Bieniemy worked for the Kansas City Chiefs organization from 2013 to 2021, winning a Super Bowl title in 2019. The coordinator went on to win another ring in 2022. Patrick Mahomes played elite-level football throughout that time, but many gave the credit for that to Andy Reid. So Bieniemy left for Washington. There, he's gotten respectable results from former 5th round pick Sam Howell, who has a 90.1 passer rating and is on course to crack 4,000 yards.
Steven Wilks (San Francisco 49ers DC)
Before he was a scout, Poles was briefly a player in the NFL for the Bears in 2008. He was exposed to a coaching staff littered with future notable names. Wilks was one of them. He currently runs a defense ranked 9th in yards and 5th in points allowed. He also has head coaching experience. Wilks was somewhat unfairly fired after one season in Arizona. Last year, he stepped in for Carolina after Matt Rhule was fired, taking a team that was 0-5 at the time to a respectable 6-6 finish.
Charles London (Tennessee Titans PGC)
Another connection from that 2008 Bears staff. London made his name for years as a top running backs coach for multiple teams. In recent years, people are starting to see him blossom. He is playing an integral part in the development of quarterback Will Levis with the Tennessee Titans. The rookie has looked sharp through his first two starts, leading many to believe he will become the franchise passer they've sorely lacked. This has helped to elevate London's coaching profile.
Al Harris (Dallas Cowboys DBs)
It is rare for teams to bypass coordinators in favor of position coaches, but it happens occasionally. Andy Reid was a quarterbacks coach before the Eagles hired him as head coach in 1999. Sean Payton was the quarterbacks coach in Dallas before New Orleans hired him as head coach in 2006. John Harbaugh was the Eagles' defensive backs coach before Baltimore came calling. Al Harris has no coordinating experience, but he's a former Pro Bowler who has done incredible work with the Dallas Cowboys defensive backs since 2020. He was also with the Chiefs from 2013 to 2018, so Poles knows him well.
Other possibilities:
Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions OC)
Probably one of the two or three hottest names this cycle. Ryan Poles should know his name well since he coaches for a division rival. The work he's done for the Lions offense has been exemplary. They finished 4th in total yards last season and rank 2nd this year. His work reviving the career of Jared Goff can't be understated. He's only 37 years old and renowned for his intelligence and communication skills.
Bill Belichick (New England Patriots HC)
Rumblings of the future Hall of Famer losing his job in New England have persisted all season. There is no denying Belichick has problems over there, but most of them are roster-related. He can still coach. If the Bears wanted their best possible chance to turn things around immediately, he would be the one to hire. The issue is Belichick turns 72 in April, so his longevity is very much in question. It will also be interesting if he tries to push for a direct say over the roster.
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan HC)
No coach has been rumored to the Bears more over the past several years than Harbaugh. It's an easy connection. He played quarterback for the organization from 1987 through 1992. He reveres Mike Ditka as a mentor. Most importantly, he has a long track record of coaching success in the NFL and college. Last but not least, he has a relationship with Bears president Kevin Warren. If Ryan Poles is encouraged to make this work, he may have to go along with it.
Shane Waldron (Seattle Seahawks OC)
Remember, Poles has ties to the Patriots organization through former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli. Pioli worked with Waldron in 2008. Since then, the coach has found tons of success. He helped get the best years out of Jared Goff in Los Angeles as passing game coordinator, including a Super Bowl run in 2018. Now as offensive coordinator in Seattle, he's overseen the renaissance of Geno Smith. The guy has worked under Belichick, Sean McVay, and Pete Carroll. You couldn't ask for better guys to learn from.
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