Ryan Poles impresses in first press conference as Chicago Bears GM

The Chicago Bears formally introduced new head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles on Monday as the two met with the media for the first time since their hirings became official last week.

One thing is clear, Poles views the Bears as being in a position where they can retool the roster and contend soon. Poles alluded to the recent success of the Cincinnati Bengals as they were the worst team in the NFL in 2019 and are now headed to the Super Bowl after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday

Much like the Bengals were the rulers of the AFC North this season, Poles has his sights on the Bears becoming the rulers of the NFC North.

The NFC North could undergo a serious change this off-season. The focus is on what is next for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After the Packers fell to the San Francisco 49ers during the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, rumors surfaced that Rodgers’ time with the Packers will be coming to an end.

While speaking with reporters after the loss to the 49ers, Rodgers indicated that he would have a decision made before NFL Free Agency starts in March. There is no question that Rodgers has dominated the NFC North division.

If Rodgers does decide to leave the Packers, the NFC North will be there for the Bears’ taking. Assuming that the Packers take a step back during the transition to Jordan Love as their starting quarterback, the Bears (with the right moves) can be in a position to contend in 2022.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a plan to return the team to contention.

Another impressive takeaway from Poles’ introductory press conference is that the general manager confirmed that he was the decision-maker in regards to the Bears hiring of Eberflus as their next head coach. Poles, who shares the same agent with Eberflus in former Bears’ player Trace Armstrong, told reporters on Monday that Eberflus was on his shortlist of candidates.

One thing is clear, the Bears’ football operations are now Poles’ show to run. When the Bears made the decision to move on from Ryan Pace as their general manager, the thinking was that the team would bring in a president of football operations.

While the Bears did not create such a position, Poles is reporting directly to George McCaskey. Bears’ team president Ted Phillips is no longer involved with the football operations and that certainly could be the first decision that brings the Bears back to relevancy.