The fate of GM Ryan Poles has been a constant debate among Chicago Bears fans for weeks. Most feel that after just 15 wins in three years, complete with all sorts of dysfunction along the way, he doesn’t deserve a chance to hire another coach. Yet prominent people in the NFL media have indicated there are no signs that Poles is going anywhere after the season. The truth is nobody knows for sure, and a recent video making the rounds only creates more questions about the GM.
Cameras were in the Bears’ locker room after their big upset victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Interim head coach Thomas Brown got the game ball from quarterback Caleb Williams as a congratulations for his first victory and an honor for dealing with a tough situation. It was a cool moment. However, something has caught the attention of eagle-eyed fans. Team president Kevin Warren was spotted in the background, which isn’t unusual. It has been that way all season. The key difference?
Poles is usually with him. He was not this time.
Remember that this was his first official victory over the Packers since he arrived in 2022. One would think the GM would be eager to celebrate with the team, especially since it was his handpicked quarterback who made it happen. Now, there is a possibility he was there and just happened not to be on camera. However, every previous similar post-game locker room speech had him in the background. His not being there was notable. It could be nothing, but Bears fans aren’t wrong for being puzzled.
Maybe it ends up being a simple misunderstanding. Former GM Ryan Pace received a contract extension on the morning after the regular season ended in January of 2018. One can imagine that similar news is imminent with Ryan Poles if the Bears plan to keep him. The longer it goes without happening, the more that video could be viewed as an early warning that changes are coming. We shall soon know which.
