LAKE FOREST, Ill – Kevin Warren used no uncertain terms in stating Ryan Poles would be Bears general manager moving forward. That was back in early December, after the Matt Eberflus firing.

It didn’t stop speculation that Poles was on the way out, especially as the lopsided losses kept piling up. With Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron let go in-season, there was no one left to blame for unprecedented struggles. The target shifted to Poles, who has lost the goodwill and margin for error established by some smart signings and the trade with Carolina that netted Caleb Williams, DJ Moore and a whole bunch more.

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Despite zero indication that anything was afoot, there was talk that Poles might get let go at season’s end. Yet there he was at the podium on Tuesday, discussing the 2024 season and the process of hiring the next Bears head coach.

While several will sit in on interviews, this is Poles’ hire to make. That was made clear by president Kevin Warren, chairman George McCaskey and the GM himself.

“I made it clear in early December and as Ryan talked about today, he is our point person on the search,” Warren said. “He’s our general manager. He’s head of football operations.

“…I am confident in the group that we have right now and Ryan leading our charge.”

How long is Poles contractually required to lead said charge? He wouldn’t address that topic, though The Athletic’s Adam Jahns previously reported that his four-year contract is set to expire in 2025.

Might that create an issue hiring a head coach look for alignment with the general manager? Poles said he would discuss his status directly with the candidates, though the Bears generally don’t consider that an issue.

“I don’t think so,” McCaskey said. “In the interviews that I have participated in, that has never been a factor. No one has ever come in and said I’m not going to come here unless the general manager and I are on the same timeline.”

There was no talk of a Poles contract extension or even a long-term commitment to him despite several votes of confidence.

“The assessment, we’ve made it clear. I trust him,” Warren said. “And he’s a hard worker, he’s young, he’s talented, he’s curious. I think his greatest attribute, he’s willing as he did just in the press conference to raise his hand and say here’s something things where he fell short. He’s as hard on himself more than anyone could be hard on him.

“…he will continually grow to be a great leader. And he’s passionate about it. He cares. He’s not here just for all the accoutrements of being a general manager in the league. He wants to win. He loves this franchise. He’s passionate about the Chicago Bears and he’s going to do everything he can.”

Poles hasn’t nailed every transaction. Such is the nature of scouting, a truly inexact science based on a mixture of metrics, subjective evaluation and gut. He has made some good moves for this franchise, missed on some others.

While the 2024 Bears broke down for several reasons, including coaching and culture, the roster didn’t have the depth required to weather storms or compete consistently at the line of scrimmage.

Poles acknowledged his misgivings on Tuesday and was accountable for his role in this season’s failures.

“I have to take responsibility as the leader of the football operation for that,” Poles said in his postseason press conference. “And I also have to make sure that we find solutions to make sure that we don’t make that mistake again and we can continue to improve. 

“I think anytime you have struggles but I also think when you have success, too, it’s important to listen, reflect, learn and adjust to make sure that you’re putting yourself in a good position. I also think part of that is taking a look in the mirror to make sure that just in terms of myself as a leader, I’m doing everything that I can to help our football team.”

McCaskey praised Poles’ leadership and communication, expressing an understanding that nobody’s perfect.

“He’s in a business where in the player personnel department there are going to be hits and there are going to be misses,” McCaskey said. “And the key is you have to have more hits than misses, so that is the challenge for him and for his staff.”

Poles can’t miss on this head-coach hire. It’s as important of a decision as the Bears have made in years, and their power brokers understand that. They have Williams and significant talent on the roster. They’ve promised to put shovels in the ground on a stadium this year. The organization desperately needs some positive momentum, and it starts with this next head coach.  

“I know 2025 is important not only from a football standpoint, from a stadium standpoint, from an operations standpoint,” Warren said. “Again, I trust Ryan. I trust the process that he has put together. I’m confident it will yield positive results. We will hire a world class coach, whether it’s Thomas Brown or someone who currently does not work in our organization. We will get this right and I’m looking forward to it.”