One thing Ryan Poles has taught us since becoming general manager of the Chicago Bears is always to pay attention to his early scouting stops. They tend to strongly hint at the direction the team is thinking. In 2022, he popped up at Alabama to watch quarterback Bryce Young, but also Clemson and Georgia Tech, who each boasted quality defensive tackle prospects, Bryan Bresee and Keion White. The Bears ended up passing on young in their famous trade of the #1 overall pick, but picked Gervon Dexter in the 2nd round.
A year later, his first two games were East Carolina vs. Michigan and North Carolina vs. South Carolina. Unsurprisingly, both featured eventual 1st round quarterbacks Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy. The Bears, of course, ended up taking Caleb Williams #1 overall the following spring. Georgia-Clemson and Notre Dame-Texas A&M were his first stops in 2024. Both games featured prominent defensive line talent. Chicago took A&M’s Shemar Turner in the 2nd round. Last year, it was Texas-Ohio State, where he watched top safety prospect Caleb Downs. Chicago ended up grabbing Dillon Thieneman 25th overall this past April.
There are always glimpses into Poles’ thinking with these opening visits. Is his latest one doing the same?
Ryan Poles isn’t even trying to hide his intentions.
Attending the Miami-Stanford game was for one of two reasons. Either he was scouting quarterback Darian Mensah, who is a projected top 10 pick, or he was there to watch the Hurricanes’ stacked defensive line. Since the Bears already have Williams, it’s not hard to determine which. Miami has three players up front on defense who are currently considered 1st or 2nd round prospects. Chief among them is defensive tackle Justin Scott, a Chicago native known for having explosive get-off, violent hands, and excellent strength. He was a quiet hero for Miami during their run to the national title game last year.
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Next is Ahmad Moten. Like Scott, he’s a highly mobile 300 lbs defensive tackle with quickness and the ability to collapse the pocket on the quarterback. He was more productive than Scott last season with 4.5 sacks and 9 tackles for a loss. Last but not least is Damon Wilson Jr. The transfer from Missouri excelled last season with 9 sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss. He did this with explosive burst off the edge and an ability to bend without losing momentum. He is a true speed rusher, which is something Ryan Poles knows the Bears lack.
The intention seems pretty clear.
Concerns about the Bears’ defensive line have persisted for years. Poles has drawn a lot of criticism for his failure to field a strong unit despite a steady investment in draft picks and pricey free agents. Failing to add anybody significant this offseason, especially on the edge, is a big reason why Chicago is a heavy favorite to regress this season after their division title in 2025. Poles has expressed confidence that what the team has should be enough to do the job if everybody stays healthy.
Based on his first major scouting visit of the season, those statements ring somewhat hollow. It’s pretty clear the Bears are circling the defensive line as a major focus in the 2027 draft. While taking one of those Miami kids may not happen, it likely means they’re hoping to grab a legitimate pass rusher early next year. While that is a relief in some ways, many remain skeptical that Poles can find the right guy, considering his dubious track record with the position.
