See if this sounds familiar. A former offensive lineman reaches the NFL, doesn’t do much as a player, and transitions to scouting. He works his way up the ladder and eventually comes under the guidance of Andy Reid. After finding major success for several years, he became the new GM of an organization that thought Super Bowl a few years prior but had fallen apart due to age and quarterback problems. Most will think that describes the new Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles, which is true. However, it also describes Ryan Grigson.
The former 6th round offensive tackle lasted just one year in the NFL before disappearing. Three years later, he resurfaced as a scout in Canada. His work caught the attention of Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles by 2004. Eight years later, he was the new GM of the Indianapolis Colts. It was a sweet setup at the time. He held the #1 pick in the draft and the rights to standout QB prospect Andrew Luck. Combined with his offensive lineman background, it was hard not to be optimistic about the next Colts AFC dynasty.
It didn’t take long to realize Grigson wasn’t what many expected.
When it came to the offensive line, he was shockingly inept at finding talent. The Colts drafted six linemen through his first six seasons on the job. Three of them started for the team, but it wasn’t because they were good. Most of them were disappointments due to not playing well or injuries. It wasn’t until 2016 that Grigson finally landed a hit in center Ryan Kelly, a three-time Pro Bowler. By then, it was far too late.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Luck took an ugly beating during those years. This led to injury issues that eventually resulted in the ultra-talented quarterback retiring before his 30th birthday. Many people blame Grigson to this day for that. Understandably so. Now Poles enters a similar scenario. A former offensive lineman taking over a team with a talented young QB.
Ryan Poles faces plenty of challenges
In his first presser, he made it clear that the offensive line would be a priority. Already a step in a different direction from Grigson. Whether he stays by his word remains to be seen. Then there is the other factor to consider. If he can pick good linemen. This has been a persistent issue for the Bears long before Poles even arrived in Chicago. In the past 20 years, the organization has drafted 24 offensive linemen. In that time, only one of them became a Pro Bowler in Kyle Long. Charles Leno Jr. and Cody Whitehair were alternates for those about to counter.
Those were also the only three who received a second contract. It is little wonder the offense has been so consistently bad for so long. The team isn’t any good at finding and developing the necessary blockers. This is the track record Ryan Poles will try to change. After watching Justin Fields get sacked 36 times last season, one can understand his sense of urgency.
It won’t be easy.
The Bears won’t have a 1st round pick this year. Finding quality blockers outside that range is difficult. Then again, Poles helped prove it’s possible during his long run in Kansas City. With help from new assistant GM Ian Cunningham, another former offensive lineman, this might end up working out for once.
