Ryan Poles Held Presser To Address Recent Bears Controversies

Ryan Poles just had to endure one of the wildest 24 hours an NFL general manager has probably ever experienced. It started with having to break the news that left tackle Braxton Jones was heading to Injured Reserve with a neck injury. That by itself was bad enough. Then things got nuts. Quarterback Justin Fields, intentionally or not, admitted during his press conference that coaching might be to blame for his recent issues of playing too "robotic." He quickly tried to walk those comments back a few minutes later.

At the same time. Rumors were spreading rapidly that something bad was happening with defensive coordinator Alan Williams. The team was silent on the matter, refusing to offer details on what was happening. Then news broke that Williams had resigned, citing family and health issues. After such an insane day, Poles knew he had to address the media in some capacity. He held a short press conference on Thursday, offering an update on where the team is at. His first quote said it all.

“First and foremost, to hit it straight on, we have adversity right now."

Ryan Poles walked a fine line.

On Alan Williams:

It's becoming more apparent that whatever is going on with the former Bears defensive coordinator, it's highly sensitive. The fact the team has avoided offering any details about it and has worked quickly to distance themselves from the situation says a lot. Williams may have cited health and family issues, but everything about this suggests the law is involved in some capacity. Nothing has surfaced yet to offer context, but one has to imagine that will happen eventually. Until then, it's all speculation.

On Justin Fields:

Ryan Poles seems to think Fields' comments come from a source of personal frustration. It doesn't have anything to do with the coaching. He is working hard to find a balance between his natural gifts and finding the right way to play within the offense. Injuries and lack of live-game action may have contributed to this. That excuse feels a bit weak since the quarterback saw plenty of simulated pass rush reps in joint practices against Indianapolis. The offensive line did a pretty good job of protecting him last week, and he still struggled.

This felt like a GM having the back of his quarterback, as he should. What he personally feels behind closed doors is irrelevant right now. Poles' job is to project an air of locker room unity under difficult circumstances. The best way to get back on track is having Fields improve and letting the Williams fiasco fade into the background. That may prove difficult on Sunday in Kansas City.