The Chicago Bears have spent the past few seasons trying to build a foundation the old-fashioned way-through the draft. Under general manager Ryan Poles, the plan has always been to identify talent, develop it, and grow a sustainable core.
But until recently, that process has been more theory than reality. Between coaching turnover and inconsistent player development, the Bears hadn’t quite found their footing.
Now, with Ben Johnson stepping in as head coach, things finally seem to be aligning.
Poles himself acknowledged that the synergy between the front office and coaching staff is starting to show real results. “Drafting and developing, that’s the ultimate collaboration between the front office and coaching staff,” Poles said in a recent interview. “You could really see it coming to life this year.”
And you can. The difference under Johnson has been noticeable-not just in the play-calling or game management, but in how the team’s young talent is being used and developed.
Take a look at the early draft classes under Poles. Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, two key defensive backs from his first draft, are both heading into free agency.
But they’re not just names on a depth chart-they’ve become impact players. Brisker, in particular, turned heads with a standout postseason performance that might’ve locked in his future in Chicago.
Then there’s Darnell Wright, who emerged as a legitimate building block on the offensive line and is expected to ink an extension this offseason. It’s a sign that the Bears are starting to retain and reward their homegrown talent-something that hasn’t always been a given.
And while the early returns on rookies like Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze were shaky, both made significant strides this past season. That’s a credit not just to their work ethic, but to a coaching staff that knows how to put them in position to succeed. The same goes for tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden-two players who look like future staples in Johnson’s offense.
Even late-round picks like Ozzy Trapilo and Kyle Monangai found ways to contribute as rookies. That’s not just luck; that’s a sign of a coaching staff that understands how to get the most out of what they’re given.
But let’s be clear-Poles still has work to do. His draft record is far from spotless.
Beyond the top couple of picks in each class, the hit rate drops off. There have been some clear misses-Velus Jones and Zacch Pickens come to mind-and even this past draft had a few question marks.
Defensive lineman Shemar Turner and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II haven’t exactly hit the ground running.
That said, the Bears are finally operating with a sense of alignment. For the first time in Poles’ tenure, the front office and the coaching staff appear to be working from the same blueprint. With a full offseason ahead to evaluate talent together, the next draft class could be the most cohesive yet.
It’s not perfect-no GM hits on every pick-but the arrow is pointing up. The Bears are starting to look like a team with a plan, and more importantly, a team that’s learning how to execute it. For fans in Chicago, that’s reason enough to feel hopeful about what’s coming next.