Ryan Poles has maintained a firm direction as GM of the Chicago Bears. He wasn’t going to be deterred from trying to build his roster the right way. That meant careful moves on the veteran market, coupled with consistent drafting. At last, it feels like things have gone in the right direction after a much-needed coaching change. The Bears are 9-4, clinching their first winning season in seven years, and have a chance to make the playoffs. However, talks of a Super Bowl haven’t really materialized.
That is because nobody believes this team is in any way ready for such a possibility. They’ve made strides, but there are glaring weaknesses on the roster that must be addressed. Nearly all of them reside on the defensive side of the ball. The harsh truth is this. Poles has done a poor job drafting defensive players since taking over. Of the 15 names he’s selected, none of them have certain futures in Chicago.
- Kyler Gordon – On IR twice this year
- Jaquan Brisker – Concussion issues
- Dominique Robinson – Backup
- Elijah Hicks – Backup
- Gervon Dexter – Solid starter
- Tyrique Stevenson – Solid starter but consistency issues
- Zacch Pickens – Gone
- Noah Sewell – Passable starter
- Terell Smith – On IR with torn ACL
- Travis Bell – Gone
- Kendall Williamson – Gone
- Austin Booker – Passable starter
- Shemar Turner – On IR with torn ACL
- Ruben Hyppolite – Backup
- Zah Frazier – Missed season for personal reasons
Ryan Poles has a poor reputation for evaluating defensive talent.
Nearly all of his additions fall into one of two categories. Either they are backups who serve as special teams contributors, or they’re good players who can’t stay healthy. Only Dexter has managed to evade those two buckets. There is no denying that the best players on that side of the ball were already on the roster (Jaylon Johnson), arrived via free agency (Kevin Byard/Tremaine Edmunds/T.J. Edwards), or were trade acquisitions (Montez Sweat). That isn’t a good way to build a sustainable unit.
This is why the 2026 draft might be the most significant of Ryan Poles’ tenure. Everybody knows the primary focus will be on the defense. Chicago has secured most of their offensive needs this past year. Next spring will be all about finding difference-makers at all three levels. Given his current reputation, it’s hard not to feel nervous. Nothing indicates Poles is capable of meeting that challenge. Then again, it’s not like there is a choice. Hopefully, head coach Ben Johnson’s supposed personnel control might change their fortunes.
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