Ryan Poles has a difficult task ahead of him. Like most new GMs, he inherits a roster that is anything but championship ready. The Chicago Bears have some talent, but they’re old in several spots and thin in others. These are things he’ll have to fix in the coming months and years. Not to mention there is the additional challenge of winning over a locker room that is undoubtedly discouraged after how the last three years went.
It sounds like Poles is off on the right foot in this regard. A source got in touch about the current mood of certain Bears players at Halas Hall. One common theme is they’ve become encouraged by the new GM. They called him “extremely refreshing” when compared to Ryan Pace. While nobody outright hated the former GM, several players seemed to never like him much due to his somewhat reclusive nature. Pace had a reputation for not always being approachable.
Such is not the case with Poles.
He isn’t afraid to speak with everybody in the building. His communication skills have been lauded by several people already. That shouldn’t be a surprise considering many people who knew him in Kansas City said that was one of his greatest strengths. Another thing about Poles is he isn’t afraid of the cameras. Pace only appeared to the media when it was required. While Poles isn’t an attention-seeker, he acts like somebody in charge of a football organization and wants to make sure he comes off that way.
Poles isn’t afraid to be out in front. That is expected of a leader. The McCaskey family wants the GM to be the leader of the organization. He is embracing that role far more than Pace seems to have done. Players have noticed and have grown more optimistic about the future as a result.
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It is no surprise Ryan Poles is like this
Even back in college, he had a reputation for being outgoing. He even won his school’s Peter Cavanaugh Award that went to the player who most embraced volunteerism, ethics, and the community. So handling a job where communication and managing people is vital was something he was made for. This isn’t just another full-time scout holding the title of GM. This is somebody embracing the entire breadth of the job description.
Ryan Poles is completing his first crucial step. Winning over the players is hard enough. Next is the real challenge. To win over the fans. Pace didn’t leave him in the best position to do that. At least not right away. Too many bloated contracts on the payroll. Only five total draft picks with no 1st rounder. He doesn’t have a lot of flexibility right now.
Not that it matters.
This isn’t a man prone to leaning on excuses. His job remains the same. He must do whatever he can to make the Bears a better football team. It sounds like he has a cohesive plan in mind. Start by retooling the offensive line, adding playmakers on offense, and improving overall team speed. By accomplishing those goals, the wins should get more frequent.
