Ryan Poles knew his primary job was to evaluate and acquire the best possible talent for the Chicago Bears. However, the job of a GM goes far beyond that. It’s running a franchise from top to bottom. That means managing personalities and maintaining a healthy locker room culture. People often don’t understand how difficult that is, especially if the team is going through struggles. It’s one reason Poles deserves credit for last year after the Bears finished 3-14. It would’ve been so easy to see players grow frustrated and lash out in the media. That never happened.
Part of the reason for that is Poles’ consistent efforts to establish good communication between himself and the players. He believes that bridge is vital to team success. It’s why he believes the Bears have a certain advantage over other teams. The GM explained on the NFL Players: Second Acts show with Charles Tillman and Roman Harper. There is a certain makeup of the team’s front office that isn’t talked about enough. It’s not filled with big-wig executives who started out as young scouts. There are quite a few former NFL players in the mix, including himself.
Ryan Poles understands the brittle nature of locker room culture.
One wrong tweak to it can lead to a disastrous cascade effect. Remove one beloved leader or teammate and it can lead to a massive drop in morale or even an outright mutiny. Bears fans might remember what happened in 2007 when the team traded Thomas Jones. Several teammates admitted that decision was a catastrophe for the locker room and a big reason why it took multiple seasons before they got back to the playoffs. Poles can’t afford to let such things happen. This is where constant communication is vital.
It speaks to the Bears GM having a clear understanding of the human side of football. These aren’t gears in a machine you can just swap out at will. It doesn’t work that way. These are men with minds and emotions. They put their bodies through hell for money, winning, and love of the game. The least they deserve is respect. Some of Ryan Poles’ predecessors often failed to recognize this reality.
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Jerry Angelo went and wasted the 4th pick in the 2005 draft on Cedric Benson when they already had Thomas Jones. Benson warned the Bears before the draft not to pick him because he wouldn’t sign for the deal the Bears had tried to get him to agree to pre-draft. Then he holds out and when he finally signs Briggs and Urlacher took it upon themselves to welcome the rook to the NFL beat down style. Blame Angelo for this costly mistake.
Bill Kowalski — Great points, Bill. GMs (Ryan Poles included) get to run “their show” — in the manner they choose. But, in the cases of Hicks, Daniels, Peters (as well as young: Bilal Nichols, Khyiris Tonga, Duke Shelley — and the entire Bears 2021 offensive line) Ryan Poles has shown very little respect, and/or appreciation. It has been reported in local and NFL media that Ryan Poles never spoke to any of the six players mentioned above. Each of them has been a contributor on his current team. But, I get it — life goes on. Maybe you haven’t… Read more »
Gena, specifically, how did Poles “disrespect” Hicks and the others you mentioned? By not paying them what THEY THINK they deserve? A great leader can’t be afraid to piss people off if the rationale of their decisions are sound. You can’t call someone out as being disrespectful just because they make decisions you don’t agree with. As far as I can tell, there is no evidence that Poles has been disrespectful to anyone. So you’re just another nobody throwing out BS without specific facts to back up your spurious claims.
“The least they deserve is respect. Some of Ryan Poles’ predecessors often failed to recognize this reality.” WHAT BS IS THIS LAMBERT? WHO ARE YOU THROWING UNDER THE BUS? I hate people trashing other people with BS devoid of facts! What leadership in the Bears organization failed to respect the players? Which leaders didn’t recognize the players are human beings with emotions? If you are going to denigrate people who are way more successful and accomplished than you will ever be Lambert, back up your stuff with specific facts!
Exactly why I have been against Carter being added to our locker room. Chemistry? Introducing a reported slacker to the room? That said, Can Poles ensure he has “changed” into a different and positive influence we can use?