Back in 2022, two NFC North rivals made pivotal front office moves that would shape the trajectory of their franchises: the Chicago Bears hired Ryan Poles as general manager, while the Minnesota Vikings brought in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. At the time, Poles actually interviewed for the Vikings’ opening before opting for the Bears. Minnesota turned to Adofo-Mensah, and for a while, it looked like they came out ahead.
Fast forward to the end of the 2025 season, and the narrative has flipped.
For the first few years, Adofo-Mensah had the scoreboard advantage. The Vikings made the postseason in two of his first three seasons, while the Bears struggled to find their footing under Poles, failing to post a winning record.
But in 2025, the tide turned in a big way. Chicago surged to an 11-6 record, captured the NFC North title, and looked like a franchise finally finding its identity.
Meanwhile, Minnesota stumbled to 9-8 and missed the playoffs-a disappointing finish that ultimately cost Adofo-Mensah his job after four seasons.
The shocker? Adofo-Mensah had just signed a contract extension earlier in the 2025 offseason.
Eight months later, he was out. That’s how fast things can change in the NFL when expectations aren’t met.
For Ryan Poles, the 2025 season was a vindication. After years of criticism and second-guessing, his vision for the Bears is finally coming into focus-and it’s a promising one.
Chicago didn’t just win games; they built a foundation. The 2025 NFL Draft yielded four players projected to be long-term starters, a haul that could define the team’s future.
Compare that to the Vikings, who had only five total picks in the same draft and are now facing a reset.
Poles also made smart, calculated moves in free agency and the trade market, particularly along the offensive line. Three new starters helped solidify a unit that had been a weak spot in previous seasons. That stability up front played a huge role in Chicago’s rise.
And let’s not forget the earlier moves that set the stage for this turnaround. Poles landed wide receiver DJ Moore, then turned around and acquired two first-round picks that turned into quarterback Caleb Williams and wideout Rome Odunze. That’s a franchise-altering trifecta-an elite target, a potential franchise QB, and a dynamic young playmaker to grow with him.
While the Vikings spent nearly $300 million in 2025 only to fall short of the postseason, the Bears look like a team on the rise. Poles’ patience, long-term planning, and willingness to absorb early criticism have paid off. Chicago enters 2026 not just as a division champion, but as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
So the next time Bears fans are tempted to question the front office, it’s worth remembering how far this team has come-and how much of that progress traces back to the man calling the shots. Ryan Poles didn’t just win the NFC North. He may have won the long game, too.