Why Did Ryan Poles Want Darnell Wright? He Needed A "Prick"

Ryan Poles immediately noticed something about the Chicago Bears offensive line when he took over as GM. They were too passive. While the unit didn't lack talent, it seemed like they were getting blown off the ball by opposing defenses regularly. That was unacceptable for somebody like Poles, a former offensive lineman himself. A proper offensive line should be the one setting the tone. They must be physical, aggressive, and nasty in their style of play. Changing that was a top priority for Poles as he looked to reshape the roster.

It started with Braxton Jones last season. Poles loved the 5th round pick for his athleticism and aggressiveness in the run game. While he might be soft-spoken in interviews, he didn't play that way. There was also Teven Jenkins, a holdover from the Ryan Pace era, who had the bully tendencies desired as well. Going into the 2023 draft, Poles knew he needed another piece to bring everything together. Darnell Wright was an attractive prospect for his size, length, and athleticism alone. However, Poles admitted to David Haugh on 670 The Score that there was another reason.

Ryan Poles understands Bears football at its core.

He knows teams that succeeded in this city were always tough, physical, and gritty. Their offensive lines always embodied that. Bulldog Turner didn't get his nickname by accident. Jimbo Covert, Jay Hilgenberg, and Keith Van Horne weren't choir boys. The same went for Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, and John Tait. Kyle Long also belonged in that fraternity. When the Bears have, for lack of a better term, "pricks" inhabiting their offensive line, it leads to good things. This isn't a game for the kind-hearted. Football is a vicious sport.

You need vicious people to play it. Wright is that sort of person. He's not malicious, but between the whistles he aims to inflict pain on everybody he blocks. That kind of controlled chaos is exactly what the Bears need. Ryan Poles knows this. It's so refreshing to see a GM show a basic understanding of how the second-most important position group in the sport must be built. Wright won't be great right away. Growing pains are ahead. Still, he will make sure of one thing. The Bears won't be intimidated anymore.