A little background on Bears new GM Ryan Poles originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Windy City has an entirely new foundation when it comes to leadership, making hopes for next season considerably high.
Now that Matt Eberflus has undertaken the role as head coach of the Bears, Chicago is going to see major changes, come this upcoming season. But it doesn’t stop there. GM Ryan Poles is also another asset to the leadership squad who plans on instilling change in the franchise.
Ryan Poles has one goal in mind, and that is “divisional dominance.”
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
But who is Poles, and what are his plans for the Bears this year?
Who is Ryan Poles?
Ryan Poles has just been hired as the new general manager of the Chicago Bears. He was chosen following the 2021-22 NFL season and will begin his journey with the Windy City this upcoming season.
The 36-year-old football connoisseur is a native of Canandaigua, N.Y., and attended Boston College before becoming an offensive lineman and American football executive.
In 2008, Poles was an offseason practice squad member after signing as an undrafted free agent to the Chicago Bears, ironically, a team he would eventually take control of in 2022.
What has Poles done in his professional career so far?
Poles’ coaching career started in 2008 when he became a graduate assistant for the Boston College Eagles. By 2009, he made the jump from NCAA to NFL, after landing his role as the scouting assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Over the last 13 years, Poles has shared his football expertise within the Kansas City franchise, serving multiple roles for the Chiefs.
After serving as scouting assistant, Poles became the Chiefs’ college scouting coordinator from 2010 to 2015. From 2016 to 2018, Poles was the Chiefs’ director of college scouting, and from 2019 to 2020, he became the assistant director of player personnel. Since then, he has served as the executive director of player personnel, and now will be shifting gears again, by joining the Bears as general manager.
On January 25, 2022, Poles replaced Ryan Pace as the Bears new general manager.
What are his plans for Chicago this year?
In a full introductory press conference alongside new head coach Matt Eberflus, Ryan Poles stated his plan to take over the NFC this season.
“We’re gonna build through the draft. We’re gonna acquire young, fast and physical football players,” said Poles.
“We’re going to be selective in free agency, and we’re going to connect evaluation with valuation. We’re gonna have a relentless approach to fix our weakness. We’re gonna solve problems with open communication and candor,” he added.
“And the last thing, the most important piece is we’re gonna take the North and never give it back,” said Poles.
