Like any GM settling into his new job, it makes perfect sense that Ryan Poles would want to surround himself with people he knows and trusts. His biggest front office change thus far was adding Ian Cunningham from the Eagles as the Chicago Bears’ new assistant GM. After that, things seemed to go silent. Poles shifted his focus to draft and free agency evaluations. However, it appears he has no problem multitasking.
A change recently popped up on the Bears’ website. Under Cunningham’s name in the Player Personnel department, a new name was listed. Trey Koziol has been added as the team’s new Co-Director of Player Personnel. For those unfamiliar with him, Koziol was the Kansas City Chief’s assistant director of college scouting last season and had been a scout for them since 2013. Not only that, but he was teammates with Poles at Boston College. They were spotted standing together at the Senior Bowl in January.
#Chiefs Asst Dir of College Scouting Trey Koziol is no longer on the team's website, and is expected to be announced soon as a member of the #Bears front office. We're told he'll be the new Dir of Player Personnel, but exact title TBA. Koziol joined KC in '13. Started w/#Titans.
— Neil Stratton (@InsideTheLeague) March 14, 2022
Spotted who I believe is new #Bears GM Ryan Poles watching offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl
Talking to who I think is Chiefs Assistant Director of College Scouting Trey Koziol pic.twitter.com/wXeaygKvy6
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) February 2, 2022
Koziol seems to have been one of the Chiefs’ go-to guys on the west coast when he served as a scout for them. That means he had a hand in helping draft some notable players like Eric Kush, Marcus Peters, and Steven Nelson. Kansas City didn’t dabble much in that area of the country, but it usually went well when they did. That offers encouraging signs the new Bears executive knows what he’s doing.
He got promoted to national scouting in May of 2018. Since then, he assisted in adding L’Jarius Sneed, Mecole Hardman, Nick Bolton, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith. There is no question Koziol earned his way up the ladder down there. Now he’s presented a golden opportunity to further his career in Chicago. All while getting to work with a longtime friend.
Take careful note of that listing from the website. It said “Co-Director.” That would imply there is another executive still to come. It is possible there could be an internal promotion of some kind. Poles did say he’s been impressed with the Bears scouting department since getting a chance to meet and work with them. Or perhaps he may have another outside name in mind. He’s already plucked from two elite-tier front offices in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
Already the reshaped Halas Hall has made their first big strike of the offseason. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi joined the team on a three-year deal worth $13.5 million per year. He should make an immediate impact as their new interior pass rusher. Somebody that can take full advantage of Robert Quinn’s presence on the outside. He finished last season with seven sacks and has had at least five in three of the past four years. Koziol seems to have an eye for players that boast speed and ball skills on defense. Two things the new coaching staff covet most. That makes his hiring all the more logical.
