Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles met with reporters on Thursday morning after an eventful day on Wednesday that saw starting quarterback Justin Fields being open with what has gone wrong with the team’s offense as well as the resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
Poles was asked for further clarification in regard to Williams’ decision to resign and did not provide an update.
#Bears GM Ryan Poles on Alan Williams: "I don't have many details to add there."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 21, 2023
Reiterates that it was "completely false" that Halas Hall was raided.
What is known is that head coach Matt Eberflus will be the defensive play-caller on Sunday for the Bears’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Poles told reporters that the team will make a decision in regard to their defensive coaching staff next week.
Poles says the team will figure out titles for defensive staff next week. Sounds like team could name a coordinator. We'll see.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 21, 2023
In regard to the controversy surrounding Fields and his comments about the team’s coaching staff, Poles played down the idea that there is a rift within the organization.
#Bears GM Ryan Poles: "No one sees Justin Fields as a finger pointer at all."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 21, 2023
In regard to the team’s coaching staff, Poles did issue a vote of confidence to Eberflus as the team’s head coach.
GM Ryan Poles reiterated his support for Matt Eberflus as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) September 21, 2023
Any time that a head coach is indeed of a vote of confidence from their general manager, that usually means that his job security is not the strongest. The relationship between Poles and Eberflus will be a key element to watch moving forward this season for the Bears.
At the very least, the Bears season appears to be at a crossroads and they have only played two games.
The Bears are facing real concerns as an organization and it is not all related to their performance on the field. The Bears’ response, or lack thereof, to that concern, has cast doubt on how stable the organization is moving forward.