When Ryan Poles drove up Field Drive for the first day of this pivotal offseason to define the Bears’ future, there were picket signs aligning the pathway towards Halas Hall.

One by one, each sign called for Poles to make a coaching change and fire Matt Eberflus, to build around Justin Fields as Chicago’s quarterback, to lock in Jaylon Johnson for the long term and more – decisions that would shape the Bears’ fate ahead.

It would be impossible for Poles to avoid the noise that has followed him every day since – loud debates on national talk shows, local fascination all throughout Chicago and the internal hopes for sustained success at Halas Hall.

All Poles has promised throughout this offseason is that he would be deliberate, detailed and prepared. That’s what Poles has been ever since he was hired to the Chiefs by then-general manager Scott Pioli in 2009.

“The things I saw in him initially and the reason I hired him is exactly what I see now,” said Pioli, who’s now a front office analyst for NFL Network. “That’s all the strengths that I saw were pretty easy to identify. I think he’s incredibly smart, extremely organized with details and he’s also very thoughtful.”

Next Thursday night in Detroit, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the first overall pick in the draft as made from the second-floor conference room inside of Halas Hall. Goodell is expected to announce the name of Caleb Williams (USC) with that selection for the Bears, marking the culmination of this potentially transformational offseason in franchise history.

For all Poles has done over two-plus years leading the Bears’ football operations – adding talents like DJ Moore, Montez Sweat, Keenan Allen, Tremaine Edmunds and more to this team – there is no more important decision than the one he faced at quarterback. With the first overall pick in hand, Poles and his scouting brass have conducted their due diligence and prepared for this opportunity.

Though Fields had his great support, and each quarterback prospect boasts upside, Williams clearly emerged as the quarterback whom the Bears coveted. Last month, Poles parted ways with Fields in a trade to the Steelers, who sent a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025 back to the Bears.

All along, Poles promised he would “do right” by Fields in seeking a trade.

“I think there were a lot of dynamics involved that Ryan handled incredibly,” Pioli said of the Fields trade. “Including getting what was the best value at that time for the club and doing the right thing for the player. I believe he did both things.

“Ryan is also smart enough to know when you’re treating one of 53 (players) a certain way, the other 52 are watching – and so are others that aren’t in that building yet. So, the way he handled business with a human being was being watched by a lot of people. There’s a lot going on.”

An NFL executive and general manager over 26 years, Pioli understands well what Poles has handled in leading the Bears through this rebuilding process. But Pioli also knew that Poles could handle the demands of these roles.

After graduating from Boston College in 2008, Poles was an undrafted free agent offensive lineman with the Bears who had hopes of a playing career in the NFL. He instead was released by the team and sought a career in scouting a year later, when he was hired by Pioli in Kansas City.

Pioli promoted Poles to the role of college scouting coordinator one year later in 2010, the second of five roles he would serve with the Chiefs. Poles became a coveted general manager candidate during his time in Kansas City but the opportunity leading the Bears appealed the most in part because of the team’s willingness to let him rebuild the roster.

“I think he’s done a terrific job of having some urgency while also being thoughtful and patient,” Pioli said. “And that’s really important because sometimes those things don’t go hand in hand. It’s not like he’s allowing years to click by.

“To me, I see a roster that’s improving and see an entire organization that’s improving.”

Pioli is already looking forward to his visit in Lake Forest this summer as the Bears host training camp ahead of this anticipated season ahead.

While Pioli has many friends and former colleagues still around the NFL, he finds himself pulling for the Bears these days. It’s in part from his childhood affinity for Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, but certainly different these days because of the bright general manager in charge.

“I’m always rooting for Ryan Poles,” Pioli said.

3 technique is one to watch

The Bears may very well use the No. 9 overall pick to address a pressing need at wide receiver or pass rusher, but there’s also a priority to improve the defensive line and a certain prospect to watch.

That is Texas defensive lineman prospect Byron Murphy, an All-Big 12 selection who had 5 sacks last season with the Longhorns. He’s a disruptive player who has emerged as the clear top interior defensive lineman in this draft class. It’s just a matter of how high could he go in this draft?

Do not be surprised if Murphy is selected in the Top 10 of this draft, NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said.

“When you look around the league and we ask who are the true impact dominant defensive tackles,” Jeremiah said. “(There are) maybe seven or eight of them. Edge rushers, it goes a lot deeper than that. And when you look at the draft, to me, there’s some other interesting names that you could go after outside the first round at the edge rusher position. (But) it falls off pretty quick at defensive tackle.”

Matt Eberflus once referred to the 3-technique defensive tackle position as the engine that drives his defensive identity. The Bears have not yet solidified that position.

During the Bears’ first offseason led by Ryan Poles, they struck a three-year deal worth $40.5 million with Larry Ogunjobi. That agreement fell though due to a failed physical and Chicago had to look elsewhere. Justin Jones played two seasons at that position but departed in free agency for the Cardinals this offseason. Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens showcased promise as rookies in 2023 but neither is a proven commodity entering their second year in the league.

Murphy may well be off the board when the Bears are set to select for the second time at pick No. 9. Jeremiah sees the Falcons, who own the No. 8 pick, as a potential team to draft Murphy.

But if Murphy is available to the Bears with the ninth selection, he very well may be the best player on their draft board. And if Poles finds a trade worth striking with the quarterback-seeking Vikings (11th pick), Broncos (12th pick) or Raiders (13th pick), Murphy may well be the selection for the Bears.

The Bears will have attractive options with the ninth pick, including the possibility to trade, plus premium prospects like Rome Odunze (Washington), Malik Nabers (LSU), Dallas Turner (Alabama) or Jared Verse (Florida State) each potentially available.

Given how important the defensive tackle position has become, Murphy makes sense for the Bears.

Big moves in Minneapolis?

The Bears are the most intriguing team in this year’s NFL Draft. Given the anticipation of Caleb Williams as the top overall pick and the options available for the ninth pick, Chicago will be at the forefront of this year’s first round.

But the NFC North rival Vikings are quite the captivating team as well heading into next Thursday night and the beginning of the first round. Last month, they acquired the No. 23 overall pick (in addition to a seventh-round slot) from the Texans in exchange for picks Nos. 42 overall (second round) and No. 188 (sixth round), plus a 2025 second-round slot.

The Vikings were already in possession of the No. 11 overall pick, which came from their 7-10 finish last season. Minnesota is in need of a quarterback after seeing veteran starter Kirk Cousins sign a four-year, $180-million deal in Atlanta last month. With two picks in the first round, it has the ammunition to make that aggressive move.

How the Vikings will attack this opportunity is part of the great fascination for the first round. They could stand pat with the 11th pick and select the fourth or fifth quarterback off the board – claiming priority over the Broncos and Raiders in their respective quarterback searches.

But given how the Vikings made this trade to acquire the 23rd overall pick, they may be preparing to make a bold trade towards the top of this draft and select either Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. It would take a package involving the 11th and 23rd selections to make such a move. The Patriots (third pick) and Chargers (fifth pick) are among potential teams that could trade with the Vikings.

If a quarterback had fallen out of the top five towards the 11th pick, the Vikings – and perhaps the Broncos and Raiders – may look to make a trade up and leapfrog the other two in a trade. That’s where the Bears’ phone inside of Halas Hall may ring with interest for a deal into the No. 9 slot.

The Vikings have set themselves up to make a major swing at quarterback and will be ready to act on that plan next week.

“This is by far the best landing spot for a quarterback to go into,” Jeremiah said. “It’s all set up, from the things that we talk about with the three P’s – with the play caller, the protection, the playmakers, check, check, check. ‘Hey, maybe we don’t want to rush right onto the field; we want to sit and learn a little bit, we’ve got Sam Darnold who can get us through games. He can get us through the whole season if we needed to, but at least get us through games until you’re comfortable and ready to go out there.’ I can’t think of a better situation for a young quarterback than the one that the Minnesota Vikings have.”

Another key hire at Halas Hall

When Kevin Warren began his role as the Bears’ president and CEO one year ago Wednesday, he promised to build the right culture and create an “incredible franchise.” He then went forth by interviewing every single member of the organization in alphabetical order.

In the year since Warren arrived in this position, he has overhauled a great deal of the operations at Halas Hall. There have been longtime Bears staff members that have been dismissed, some hires that have been celebrated and others more understated – all working towards Warren’s vision of a better franchise.

But if Warren has his way, the Bears’ success will be collective and the impact of many whose work may go unnoticed.

That is the case for Ted Crews, who was officially hired on Wednesday to the newly created role of special advisor to the President/CEO, chief administrative officer.

Crews is a highly respected figure in league circles having most recently served as executive vice president of communications with the Chiefs. He’s a polished executive who was instrumental alongside Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

Crews will transition from Kansas City to Chicago as the Bears prepare to welcome in a prized young quarterback prospect, continue developing a budding roster and seek to solidify their stadium future.

“Ted has an exemplary NFL track record and his success clearly displays his capability to lead complex communication strategies with adeptness while building a strong administrative environment,” Warren said. “His leadership qualities, combined with a deep understanding of the broad NFL communications landscape, will be instrumental in advancing our aggressive organizational vision and objectives.”

Last week, Warren announced the hirings of Krista Whitaker as EVP of Legal and Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer and Andrea Zopp as Senior Advisor, Legal and Business Affair. The Bears also promoted Liz Geist to the role of Executive Vice President of People and Culture & Chief Human Resources Officer and Paul Neurauter to Senior Vice President of Operations & Sustainability.

In early March, the Bears promoted Karen Murphy to Executive Vice President of Stadium Development & Chief Operating Officer, then Corey Ruff to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics & Chief of Staff. Warren also completed hires of Meka White Morris as Executive Vice President of Revenue & Chief Business Officer and Tanya Dreesen as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Global Affairs & Chief of Staff.

HITS at Wrigley Field

As the Cubs open up a four-game series with the Marlins on Friday at Wrigley Field, the Bears will be on hand at the Friendly Confines.

Matt Eberflus and members of his coaching staff will be attending the game as guests. Eberflus will join linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, then the Seventh-Inning Stretch will be sung by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, defensive coordinator Eric Washington and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower.

Eberflus was a guest of the Cubs during a 21-0 win over the Pirates in 2022, then again last April for a 13-0 win over the Dodgers – a combined 34-0 margin in two games.
The Cubs have bought into Eberflus’ HITS Principle.