It hasn't been fun being Ryan Poles this season. The Chicago Bears GM doesn't seem to be getting any positive results from his 2025 offseason moves thus far. Dayo Odeyingbo is a non-factor as a pass rusher despite getting paid $16 million per year. Colston Loveland and Luther Burden haven't factored much into the passing game. Ozzy Trapilo is a backup. Shemar Turner just tore his ACL. This doesn't include Kyler Gordon, who has just signed a fresh contract extension, but is now going on injured reserve due to more soft tissue problems. Even as the team sits at 4-3, many feel Poles shouldn't be in charge of this team.
Recent events on the NFL trade market aren't helping his case either. The Bears are facing a crisis on their defensive line. As mentioned above, Turner is done for the season. Dominique Robinson will also miss multiple games with a high ankle sprain. The team needs serious help. So, you can imagine how baffled fans were when they saw the New England Patriots trade talented former 2nd-round pick Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers for a late-round pick swap.
White had five sacks and 16 quarterback hits last year, but was rendered useless in New England's new defensive system under Mike Vrabel. His 6'5, 285 lbs frame feels like something defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would drool over.
Ryan Poles' lack of action may hint at a power shift in Halas Hall.
Sports Mockery's Jeff Hughes stated months ago that the true personnel authority has shifted to head coach Ben Johnson. No significant moves happen without his say, including trades. It would explain why the Bears have been noticeably less aggressive this year compared to previous ones. Their only aggressive moves involved trading for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, which have Johnson's fingerprints all over them. Chicago has not made a single trade of any kind since April.
Last year, Ryan Poles made two trades in August and another at the deadline. He was far more active when he had clear personnel authority. Not making a push for a player like White says a lot. Johnson has no intention of flipping draft picks for castoff players. He either wants proven commodities (like Jackson and Thuney) or to keep the picks and use them on young talent to develop. It isn't a bad thing, but it makes fixing the team's current problems more difficult.
