Ryan Poles Has Connections To Build An Impressive Front Office

The common saying for NFL head coaches is you're only as good as the staff you can build. Not enough people realize the same can be said for GMs. Those guys can't do all the work themselves. They need a strong front office and scouting department in order to help their franchise achieve the success they're looking for. This is a challenge that Ryan Poles will face with the Chicago Bears. There is a strong likelihood that several names serving in the current front office won't be around by the end of the spring. Poles will want to bring in his own people. Just like Ryan Pace did back in 2015. So I decided to do some digging. One thing that immediately stood out is the new Bears GM has significant connections. A benefit of serving under three different general managers and also being friends with another. Here is a list of possible names he could try bringing to Chicago via those connections.

Ryan Poles has many avenues to exploit for his front office

The Chris Ballard connection:

Ballard and Poles worked together for years in Kansas City. The Colts GM was part of the Bears front office that signed Poles as an undrafted free agent in 2008. So they have close ties. Morocco Brown (Colts director of college scouting) It is common knowledge at this point that Brown was a top GM candidate for Chicago. While he didn't get the job, it doesn't mean he's still not attainable. He is currently the Colts director of college scouting so Poles would be able to offer him a promotion of some kind. Brown played a huge role in Indy's current roster and was a big part of the Bears front office that produced a Super Bowl appearance and three division titles from 2001 to 2007. Dwayne Joseph (Raiders director of pro scouting) Joseph played three years in the NFL with the Bears and then got his start in scouting for them in 1998. He returned in 2012 and eventually became their assistant director of pro personnel. Since then he's produced an impressive track record of success. Jermon Bushrod, Martellus Bennett, and Matt Slauson in Chicago. Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Brooks in Philadelphia. Casey Heyward and Yannick Ngakoue in Las Vegas. Todd Vasvari (Colts assistant director of college scouting) This one is a double whammy. Not only a Ballard connection but a Bill Polian one too. Vasvari got his start way back in 1998 with the Colts and has been with the organization ever since. He helped build and rebuild a team that has 15 playoff appearances, two AFC championships, and a Lombardi Trophy in the past two decades. He played a central role in acquiring multiple star players including pass rusher Robert Mathis.

The Scott Pioli connection:

Pioli helped the Patriots establish their dynasty in the 2000s. He was the one who gave Ryan Poles his first opportunity in scouting when he was GM of the Chiefs in 2009. Thomas Dimitroff (former Falcons GM) He and Pioli worked together in New England and then again in Atlanta. Dimitroff did a tremendous job turning around the Falcons when he arrived in 2008. He drafted Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Then with Pioli's help, they forged a roster in 2016 that came just minutes away from winning the Super Bowl. His track record and experience can't be argued. Jim Nagy (Senior Bowl executive director) Arrived in Kansas City the same year Poles did and spent four seasons together. Nagy is one of the most respected scouts in the business. A big reason he runs the Senior Bowl, arguably the most important pre-draft event of the offseason next to the scouting combine. He also served in the Packers, Patriots, and Seahawks scouting departments. All when they were winning Super Bowls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umE97F0Fa8E&ab_channel=TheDraftNetwork Lionel Vital (Cowboys director of college scouting) Pioli and Vital crossed paths twice in New England and Atlanta. The veteran executive might be one of the best-kept secrets in the league. Since taking over the college scouting department in Dallas, his team has drafted the likes of Dak Prescott, Michael Gallup, Ezekiel Elliott, Trevon Diggs, and Micah Parsons among others. One of the best drafting teams in the league.

The John Dorsey connection:

Dorsey came in to replace Pioli as GM in 2013. A job he would hold for the next four years and would help Poles continue to blossom. Something learned by Dorsey in Green Bay. Eliot Wolf (Patriots senior personnel executive) It might be a coincidence that Wolf was also a finalist for the Bears GM job, but the connection can't be ignored. He worked under Dorsey in Green Bay and again in Cleveland. During those stints, he helped both teams acquire some excellent talent. His father is a Hall of Fame GM himself. The pedigree is obvious. He is somebody that benefits every front office he's been in. Including New England. Steve Malin (former Browns college scouting director) He served under Dorsey for two years in Cleveland. Prior to that, Malin was a pillar of the New York Giants scouting department for 16 years. A run that saw them win two Super Bowls while acquiring names like Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora, Eli Manning, Chris Snee, and Jason Pierre-Paul. He also had a hand in the Saints' incredible 2017 draft class that produced Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, and Alvin Kamara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKYdwIKk45w&ab_channel=News5Cleveland Alonzo Highsmith (Seahawks senior personnel executive) Former NFL running back. Highsmith didn't get into scouting until 2012 with Green Bay. Yet he still managed to rise through the ranks to become a VP of player personnel under Dorsey in Cleveland by 2018. Teams he's been on have often secured All-Pro talents like David Bakhtiari for the Packers and Joel Bitonio in Cleveland. A rising star in the business according to most who know him.

The Brett Veach connection:

The last and most obvious. Veach was the one who promoted Ryan Poles into the spot that eventually landed him the Bears GM job. Both men worked together going back to 2013. Trey Koziol (Chiefs assistant college scouting director) This one actually has layers to it. Not only has Koziol worked in the Chiefs scouting department alongside Poles, but he is also former teammates with him. The two played together on the same offense at Boston College. Most of his time in Kansas City was as their west coast scout. During that time he helped them land some good players including Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson. Phil Savage (former Browns GM) He and Veach worked together for years in Philadelphia. Savage has a super track record as a scout and executive. He was a major part of the Ravens' front office that landed Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed. Then as GM in Cleveland (2005-2008), he added future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. The Eagles also secured some of their most vital pieces to the 2017 Super Bowl team during his stint. Names like Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce, and Bradon Graham. Rick Mueller (Coastal Carolina director of player personnel) Crossed paths with Veach in Philadelphia. Before that Mueller played a key role in building the New Orleans Saints eventual championship roster. He then did the same for the Eagles, adding several pieces to their roster such as Brandon Brooks and Rodney McLeod. Since taking over Coast Carolina, he has turned Coastal Carolina from FCS program to a team that just went 11-1 and played in their first-ever Division I bowl game.