Sources: Bears finalizing deal to make Poles GM
The Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles as their next general manager,…
The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Kansas City Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles as their next general manager, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Poles was a finalist for three of the NFL’s four general manager openings this month. In addition to the Bears, he had a second interview with the New York Giants, who ultimately hired Buffalo Bills executive Joe Schoen. Poles also canceled further interviews with the Minnesota Vikings after deciding to take the Bears job.
The decision came 15 days after Bears chairman George McCaskey fired former general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy after a 6-11 season. At the time, McCaskey said he hoped to hire a new general manager first and then incorporate the new GM into the final discussions for a new coach. McCaskey revealed that he had tapped longtime NFL executive and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bill Polian to help guide his search.
Poles, 36, will report directly to McCaskey. Previously, Bears general managers have reported to team president Ted Phillips.
The Bears interviewed at least 13 candidates for the general manager job, including Schoen and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who is the favorite for the Vikings’ open job. They have reported nine interviews for the head-coaching job, including former NFL head coaches Jim Caldwell and Doug Pederson. Caldwell was at the Bears’ Halas Hall facility Tuesday, according to Schefter. They have also requested a second interview with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, another former head coach.
Poles was in his first season as the Chiefs’ executive director of player personnel and his 13th with the franchise.
Pace spent seven seasons with the Bears, hiring two coaches and trading up to draft two quarterbacks, including Justin Fields last year, during his tenure. His teams made two playoff appearances but did not win a postseason game. The Bears last won a playoff game in 2010 and are 1-3 in the postseason since appearing in Super Bowl XLI after the 2007 season.
The Bears do not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft because they sent that selection to the Giants in the Fields trade.
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