The stakes are getting higher than ever for Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
One year removed from drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall, and months removed from firing Matt Eberflus during a woefully inconsistent rookie season from the rookie quarterback, and after hiring Ben Johnson as head coach and by all accounts knocking free agency out of the park, the pressure is starting to mount when it comes to turning things around for Poles.
The Bears have done some really nice things this offseason, which could dramatically change the tide of the franchise when the regular season kicks off, while substantially upgrading the talent at several key positions.
Signing stalwart center Drew Dalman after acquiring veteran guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney in trades with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, should work wonders in helping prevent Williams from being sacked anywhere close to the 68 times he was as a rookie while potentially throwing Johnson’s offensive playbook wide open.
Meanwhile, Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo are solid veteran additions capable of upgrading what had been an inconsistent pass rush last season.
However, the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft could hold the keys to how Poles is judged in the future and where the Bears are headed from here.
Is Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles already on the hot seat?
As the NFL Draft nears, and with the Bears holding the No. 10 overall selection, adding a game-altering talent and franchise centerpiece are within Poles and Chicago’s grasp.
Ahead of the draft, Bleacher Report NFL analyst Gary Davenport put together a list of just how hot the seat is getting under every general manager across the NFL, including Poles getting a four out of ten on his scale.
“With new head coach Ben Johnson in Chicago there’s considerable enthusiasm in the Windy City,” Davenport writes of Poles. “And the team wasn’t bashful in free agency this year. But it’s important that Poles has a solid 2025 draft—and that the team shows some real improvement this year.
“At some point, potential has to turn into results.”
There was considerable optimism about the Bears entering last season, coinciding with Williams’ arrival along with wide receivers Keenan Allen and fellow top-10 pick Rome Odunze, that Chicago could make the leap to the postseason.
However, after finishing 5-12 following a 4-2 start to the season, the pressure is on for Poles and the Bears to start delivering some results.
In a lot of ways, this draft presents Poles and Chicago the chance to add a player capable of elevating Williams’ development and pushing the Bears closer to the postseason, if not breaking through in Johnson’s first year at the helm.
Bigger picture, though, this draft and the upcoming 2025 season could go a long way towards Poles releasing some of the pressure that is mounting on the Bears and pausing the conversation about his future, entirely, for a while.
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