When he arrived in 2022, Ryan Poles didn’t try to hide his overall disdain for what former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace had built. Nothing about their operation suggested they ever had a firm grasp on how to build an actual winning organization. That was why he tore the entire roster they built down and eventually traded the quarterback they put their jobs on the line to acquire. Now, the Bears look like one of the most complete teams in the NFL, with a rookie quarterback who has already accomplished more than Justin Fields.
If you wanted a reminder of why Poles runs a smarter operation, he provided one shortly before the Bears’ matchup with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. He was asked in an interview with Jeff Joniak on ESPN 1000 about the team’s plans for the upcoming game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Poles stated the team would leave immediately on Monday. Why? To ensure players could acclimate to the massive time zone difference. Back in 2019, Nagy chose to arrive two days before the Bears’ London matchup with the Oakland Raiders.
The team came out flat in the first half, falling behind 17-0. They ended up losing 24-21. The Raiders, by contrast, had arrived at the beginning of the week.
Ryan Poles has the common sense not to sabotage his team.
Asking players to adjust their body clocks to a six-hour time difference in two days is absurd. Anybody who has traveled overseas for an extended period understands it takes around a week to become accustomed to the difference. That loss to the Raiders was the turning point of the Bears’ season and perhaps Nagy’s entire tenure as head coach. They were 3-1 at that point, still looking like the team that won the division a year ago. The defeat started a losing streak of four straight games that ruined their hopes of getting back to the playoffs. It also kickstarted Nagy’s decision to start meddling with the quarterback position.
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There won’t be any of that for Ryan Poles. If the Bears lose next Sunday to Jacksonville, it won’t be because of poor preparation. They will have a full week to enjoy the sights of London and practice in its time zone. This is a game they know they should win. The Jaguars are 1-4 and barely escaped with their first win on Sunday. It is not a good football team. Then again, the same was said about the Raiders five years ago. We’ll see if the schedule choice makes a difference.
