Source: Poles And Warren Made A Stand Against McCaskeys On Major Issue

After watching Monday's press conference, people are debating who is really in charge of the Chicago Bears. Most will say it's team president Kevin Warren. Others believe it is still GM Ryan Poles, whom Warren insisted had the final say on the upcoming search for a new head coach. Everybody has their narrative. Based on everything stated to this point, it will be a two-man show with Poles and Warren to get this issue fixed once and for all. The two men like and respect each other. That bond must persevere in what is easily the most crucial next two months in recent franchise history.

According to sources, things started with an important statement from the two men to George McCaskey. They've made it clear that Trace Armstrong will not be involved in the coaching search this time. The former Bears defensive end is one of the most prominent agents in the league, representing Athletes First. He played a central role in the Bears hiring Matt Nagy and Matt Eberflus between 2018 and 2022. If this is going to work, Warren and Poles want no interference from Armstrong anymore since it's obvious he has done nothing to help the organization.

Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles know the pressure of the situation.

They're not stupid. This hire could decide the fate of their entire careers. Williams looks like a budding star at quarterback. If they can find the right guy to develop him, everything will coalesce into long-term success. One thing that is clear about Armstrong is that he doesn't exactly represent the cream of the crop in coaching circles. Nagy and Eberflus weren't his only flops. Josh McDaniels, Brian Kelly, Lincoln Riley, Chip Kelly, and Jason Garrett are some of his other clients. Anybody with common sense can see the guy has a poor eye for winners.

Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles want to find a winner. Forget culture and that other nonsense. The easiest path to this is finding somebody who can maximize Williams. Ben Johnson, Kliff Kingsbury, and Joe Brady are some of the early names mentioned. Others will surface over the next month and a half. Thomas Brown is also still very much in the conversation. Poles and Warren will do their research, have debates, and weigh their options carefully. Once they have their guy, it will be on the McCaskeys to sign off.