Sounds Like Ryan Poles Isn't As Safe As Many Think

The Chicago Bears have some tough questions to answer before the end of the season. It looks like they already have one regarding head coach Matt Eberflus. He was given a third season after improving on his first-year record in 2022. However, after a 4-2 start, the team has collapsed to 4-6, highlighted by two more ugly 4th quarter implosions. It feels like a near certainty that he will be fired at the end of the season. The other question left unanswered is whether Ryan Poles will join him.

The Bears GM sits at an awkward crossroads. He's done a nice job assembling a talented roster and seems to have finally secured a viable quarterback in Caleb Williams. At the same time, he has some ugly misses (Chase Claypool and Nate Davis) and made the mistake of doubling down on keeping Eberflus this year. Many believe he should be held just as accountable for his failures. Others think if Ryan Pace got a second chance, he will, too. Albert Breer of the MMQB weighed in on the situation. By the sound of it, everything hinges on whether Bears brass feel they can lure a top coach with him in charge.

Would Ryan Poles get another shot with a new head coach? I think he has a good relationship with Warren, but I’d imagine that’ll come down to what the Bears are shooting for in their next coach. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, for example, will be very picky in the jobs he’d entertain. Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel was already in a place where ownership and front-office politics got in the way, so I’d guess he’d want things set up a certain way, too.

So, how does Warren value the job Poles has done (and I do think he’s done a good job)? That’ll be the question, as I see it.

Ryan Poles is in a difficult position.

He's done just enough with the roster to make you think he has it pointed in the right direction. The defense is good. The arsenal of weapons on offense is talented. His young quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance. However, his offensive line is still a significant problem, and the coaching staff he helped put together is a train wreck. If the Bears were to hire a new coach, many would have reason to believe the GM is on the hot seat were Poles to stay in charge. That means he could be fired if they have a losing season in the first year. Then, the next GM comes in and may wish to bring in a coach they selected.

It is the exact sort of mess this franchise has made for itself going back over a decade. It happened with Jerry Angelo and Dick Jauron and again with Phil Emery and Lovie Smith. Top coaching candidates may not want to walk into a situation lacking long-term stability. This means the Bears would have to hope Ryan Poles can still land a good head coach from a smaller pool of names, or they must fire him and start fresh at both top spots. Both options bring uncertainty, which is why nothing has been decided yet.