Chicago Bears GM candidate Ryan Poles has captured McCaskey’s interest

Tuesday figures to be yet another important day for the Chicago Bears as the team is beginning the second round of interviews in regards to their general manager vacancy after completing first round interviews with Pittsburgh Steelers’ executive Omar Khan and Indianapolis Colts’ executive Morroco Brown on Monday.

Late on Monday night, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provide an update on the Bears’ scheduled second round of interviews for their general manager vacancy. Rapoport reported that Kansas City Chiefs’ executive Ryan Poles, Tennessee Titans’ executive Moti Ossenfort, and New England Patriots’ executive Eliot Wolf are all expected to have second interviews with the Bears.

It would certainly appear that the Bears are making progress on finding their next general manager and there is an indication that their primary target may be Poles. On Monday night, Bears’ chairman George McCaskey was spotted at O’Hare Airport walking stride in stride with Poles.

Setting aside the jokes that this video has ignited such as Bears’ president Ted Phillips waiting in the clown car outside O’Hare Airport, ready to drive Poles and McCaskey back to Halas Hall, the idea that the Chiefs executive was picked up personally by the Bears’ chairman should be an encouraging sign.

After being picked up from the airport personally by Chicago Bears’ chairman George McCaskey, Ryan Poles could be the favorite for the general manager vacancy.

One thing is clear, the Bears are definitely impressed with Poles. Immediately after Poles had finished his first interview with the team on Friday, it was reported on Saturday that the team would be bringing him back for a second interview. If the Bears want Poles, they may need to act fast. Poles is a finalist for the Minnesota Vikings’ general manager vacancy and is scheduled for a second interview on Wednesday.

There has been some criticism over the idea that McCaskey picked up Poles from the airport himself as opposed to having a staffer complete the task. That criticism is misguided. Over the course of the past 11 years, McCaskey has provided plenty of ammunition to be criticized. Personally picking up a prospective general manager candidate from the airport should not be something in which McCaskey is criticized for. Instead, McCaskey’s direct involvement should strongly suggest how Bears view Poles as a candidate.

It would appear that the Chicago Bears are closing in on a new general manager and Ryan Poles could make Halas Hall his permanent workspace after his interview on Tuesday.