Ryan Poles turned a lot of heads in 2022 when he selected Matt Eberflus as the next head coach of the Chicago Bears. It wasn’t for the right reasons. Many around the league were confused by the choice. While Eberflus had found some success as a defensive coordinator in Indianapolis, nobody saw him as a premium candidate worth exploring. Poles explained that the two had a relationship that had grown over the past few years. The GM felt the coach embodied many of the traits that made Lovie Smith a success in Chicago. It was a decent sales pitch, but people were still skeptical.
They were right to be. In less than three seasons, Eberflus finished with the longest losing streak in franchise history (14 games), the most sacks allowed on his quarterbacks in a coaching tenure, and the worst record in one-score games (5-19). How could Poles have missed the mark so badly? We may, at last, have an answer. In speaking to people around the NFL, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune came across a tangible theory. It is possible that Poles chose Eberflus because he’d be the least combative about the roster.
Some believe Poles may have gravitated three years ago toward a deferential head coach who wouldn’t make waves or meddle or be confrontational when it came to building the roster and setting the team’s big picture. Poles, it has been perceived, was the true visionary in the relationship, with Eberflus’ top priority being to mold a team that played hard and stayed together.
Added another league source: “I can’t speak with expertise on that relationship specifically. But when you are a rookie GM and you want it to be your show, I can see operating with that mindset. Even if it may be 100% subconscious.”
He was so paranoid about battling his coach about roster construction that he let it bleed into who he chose for the job. Look at the three options presented to him after taking over: Eberflus, Dan Quinn, and Jim Caldwell. The other two were former head coaches who’d gone to Super Bowls. There was no way in hell they wouldn’t make their voices heard on how they wanted the team built. Eberflus, who was reportedly on the cusp of being fired by Indianapolis, would’ve agreed to anything if it meant getting a head coaching job.
Ryan Poles had found his perfect lapdog. He’d provide the talent. Just coach them and everybody wins. Well, it appears the Bears GM has found out that isn’t how it works in the NFL. Good head coaches aren’t passive personalities. They’re opinionated. They have egos. Mike Ditka battled Bears management about the roster all the time. When Lovie Smith took over in Tampa Bay for his second head coaching stint, it came with full roster control. Bill Parcells? Bill Belichick? Mike Holmgren? All of those coaches sought such privileges. It falls on the GM to deal with such challenges.
The fact Poles actively dodged that issue, even subconsciously, is a giant red flag regarding the upcoming coaching search.
