Ryan Poles took the wheel of the Chicago Bears front office in 2022, inherited a dumpster fire, and immediately started swinging like a dude with nothing to lose. It’s been three years of chaos, curveballs, and calculated risks. Some of it genius. Some of it a damn disaster. But all of it has reshaped this franchise in a way we haven't seen in decades. So, let’s talk about the hits, the faceplants, and everything in between.
The DJ Moore Heist: Poles' Magnum Opus
Let’s start with the crown jewel: the Panthers trade. Poles turned the 2023 No. 1 overall pick into DJ Moore, Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams, Tyrique Stevenson, and Luther Burden III. That’s not just a good trade; that’s grand theft GM-ing. According to Drew Rosenhaus (Moore’s agent), Carolina wanted no part of giving up Moore, but Poles basically told them, “No DJ, no deal.” That’s how you negotiate when you’ve got brass balls and a vision.
Moore instantly became WR1 and posted career highs across the board (96 rec/1,364 yards/8 TD's), according to ESPN. That return alone would’ve justified the trade. But Poles used the No. 9 pick to snag Wright — who’s now mauling dudes on the edge — and the 2024 pick from Carolina became Caleb Williams. Oh, and Odunze just fell into their lap at No. 9 in 2024. That's a franchise reload executed with sniper precision.
Montez Sweat vs. Chase Claypool: A Tale of Two Deadlines
Poles is a gambler. Sometimes he hits big, like the Montez Sweat deal. Swapping a second-round pick for an elite edge rusher? That’s how you weaponize cap space. Sweat came in and instantly upgraded the pass rush (even though he had a bad year last season — due to injuries — I'm expecting a bounce back). He’s been worth every cent.
But then there’s Chase Claypool. Remember that guy? The Bears gave up what turned into the No. 32 overall pick for a guy who gave them 18 catches and got himself sent to the damn Dolphins. It was a flaming bag of trash from day one. One move showed smart aggression. The other showed desperate panic.
Drafting Like a Mad Scientist: Boom or Bust?
Poles' drafts are the football equivalent of a rollercoaster designed by a maniac.
First-Round Perfection
He’s nailed the first round every year. Darnell Wright looks like a decade-long starter. Caleb Williams is your franchise QB. Rome Odunze has the tools to be a WR1B next to Moore. You want blue-chip talent? Poles finds it when the lights are brightest.
Second-Round Strongholds
Second round has been solid. Jaquan Brisker is a tone-setter at safety. Kyler Gordon just got extended. Gervon Dexter turned heads in 2024. And when Poles trades his second-rounder like for Montez Sweat, it’s been worth it (I'm trying to Men in Black the Claypool trade from my brain — don't ask, just press the damn button).
Third-Round Horror Show
But sweet Jesus, the third round has been a graveyard. Velus Jones Jr.? A 25-year-old rookie kick returner who can’t hold onto the damn ball. Zacch Pickens? Benched. Kiran Amegadjie? Still TBD, but early signs aren’t promising.
You can’t build depth if you whiff in the meat of the draft. And Poles is whiffing like a drunk guy swinging a piñata.
Day 3: Meh
Late-round gems? Not many. Elijah Hicks is a nice depth piece. Tory Taylor is a punter — fine. But the rest? Either buried or gone. Tyler Scott and Roschon Johnson haven’t done much. If you’re building a sustainable winner, these rounds need to hit more often.
Show Me the Money: Cap Space Shenanigans
Poles started frugal, now he’s shelling out like a Wall Street trader on a coke bender. With over $80 million in cap space entering 2025, he splurged on Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman to finally protect Caleb Williams.
That line was a war crime last year — Williams got sacked 68 times. So, Poles addressed it like a man possessed. The Bears now have one of the league’s most expensive O-lines, and they better damn well be one of the best too.
But the cash splash came with a price. They’ve got around $14 million left, per Over The Cap. That’s near the bottom of the league, rubbing elbows with Super Bowl teams like the Chiefs and Ravens. High stakes, high pressure. One or two injuries and it’s gonna be duct tape and prayers.
Coaching Carousel: The Eberflus Miss and the Ben Johnson Hit
One of Poles' biggest early missteps? Sticking with Matt Eberflus too damn long. The defense-first hire never clicked in a league obsessed with offense, and the team’s ceiling was stuck somewhere below mediocrity. Eberflus might've been a great guy to grab lunch with, but he wasn’t the guy to develop a top pick at quarterback — or build a modern contender.
But Poles corrected course in a big way with the hire of Ben Johnson. The former Lions OC wasn’t just a hot name — he was the architect of one of the most creative, high-scoring units in football. Johnson's arrival immediately injected credibility into the Bears’ offensive future. He’s tailor-made to unlock Caleb Williams, and for once, Chicago actually looks like a team planning to outscore someone instead of grinding out 17-13 slugfests.
Sure, Poles blew it by sticking with Eberflus for as long as he did, but landing Johnson? That’s a major W in the long game.
The Big Picture: What’s Poles Building?
At a glance? Something that actually makes sense.
He’s locked down the two hardest things to find in the NFL: a legit QB prospect and a WR duo that can cook anyone. Caleb and Rome? That’s your future. DJ Moore? Already proven. Sweat gives you a defensive identity. Gordon and Brisker stabilize the back.
And for once, the Bears have an O-line that’s not just a patchwork disaster. It’s a unit built to keep the most valuable player upright and breathing.
The Risks: Where This Can Go Off the Rails
Middle - round draft busts + top-heavy cap spending = a tightrope walk. If your studs don’t stay healthy, or your young guys don’t develop, there’s no safety net. No mid-round steals. No cheap depth. That’s a problem.
The Bears are all-in on this core. If Williams struggles or injuries hit, it could unravel fast. Poles is betting big — and that takes guts — but it also means there’s no room for more Claypool-type screwups.
Final Verdict
Ryan Poles isn’t perfect. But he’s decisive, aggressive, and smart enough to learn from mistakes. He’s rebuilt this roster from smoldering ruins into something that actually has direction.
He earns a B+
The kind of grade you give someone who blew the top off the midterm but still flunked a couple quizzes. If he starts hitting on third-rounders and manages the cap with more foresight, this grade jumps fast.
But for now? Poles is the GM Chicago needed. And for the first time in a long time, the Bears don’t just have hope. They have a plan
