As the Chicago Bears turn the page to a promising new chapter, there's an unmistakable buzz in the Windy City. The long-awaited stability at football's two most critical positions – quarterback and head coach – is finally here.
With Caleb Williams steering the offense as the former #1 overall pick and Ben Johnson bringing his offensive wizardry as head coach, the Bears' faithful have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The mastermind behind this transformation is General Manager Ryan Poles, who orchestrated the pivotal trade for Williams and made the decisive call to target Johnson as the team's new leader.
However, it's important to remember that Poles' journey hasn't been without its bumps. His previous decision to hire Matt Eberflus as head coach is a notable example, a move that many consider one of the franchise's most questionable choices.
There's been some debate about whether Poles was truly in control of that decision. The narrative has hinted that Eberflus' hire was almost inevitable by the time Poles took up his GM role, given that Eberflus was introduced just two days later.
Yet, as George McCaskey explained to Adam Jahns of The Athletic, the reality wasn't that cut and dry.
Poles, it seems, did have options. Despite the search committee's shortlist of three candidates, he could have widened the net to find someone else if none stood out.
Yet, the decision to settle on Eberflus was made within a remarkably brisk two days. For a man known for his detailed-oriented nature, such a speedy choice was out of character and raised eyebrows.
There's been speculation that Poles might have seen Eberflus as a coach unlikely to challenge his roster decisions. After all, Eberflus was teetering on the edge of losing his job in Indianapolis before the Bears came calling. The opportunity to lead the Bears was one Eberflus wouldn’t gamble away by contesting the GM's strategy.
Yet, it's important to separate fact from fiction. McCaskey's statements make it clear that there was no directive from the top to appoint Eberflus.
It was simply a misstep in a career that's now clearly focused on success. The exhaustive and diligent search process that led to the current promising setup is evidence that Poles has learned from past errors, ready to guide the Bears toward lasting success.
