Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles is the most underrated GM in the NFL

The Chicago Bears general manager is not getting credit from the national media. Why should he be? According to basically everybody, the Chicago Bears have the worst roster and will finish with the number one overall draft selection in the 2023 NFL draft.

This past draft season, I gave you all a taste of what I would do if I were the Bears’ GM. That plan would have surrounded Justin Fields with as much offensive help as humanly possible. That is how much I have faith in Fields from afar. However, I am not in an office dealing with the daily grind of running an NFL franchise. Nor are the likes of Keyshawn Johnson (one of my favorite receivers) or Collin Cowherd.

I did enjoy watching Ryan Poles stick to his plan from the day he entered Halas Hall. Poles wasn’t afraid to trade away Khalil Mack and let other fan favorites walk in free agency. He also cleaned up the front office towards his vision and hired the head coach he felt was the best fit to coach his team.

Why then does the national media believe that the Chicago Bears are the worst team in the NFL? Did they want a different GM? How about the head coach? Was drafting Justin Fields something they disliked last season? It is clear as day that an NFL franchise needs three things to become successful — a good GM, head coach, and quarterback.

I understand if they felt that Justin Fields is talentless, Ryan Poles is over his head, and Matt Eberflus doesn’t have what it takes to become a good head coach. The season hasn’t started, so those are understandable questions. But what about these other teams that should be considered worse?

The Houston Texans let the best quarterback they have ever had go. A few years before that, they let arguably the best receiver go. Sure, they hired Lovie Smith and have Davis Mills, but what about their general manager? I know many of the circumstances were due to Bill O’Brien making some questionable roster decisions, but still.

How about the Seattle Seahawks? Who trades Russell Wilson? I understand the rumors last season, but does a team seriously consider trading a future Hall of Fame quarterback? The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detriot Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New York Jets, Washington Commanders — I mean, come on.

Sorry, I got way off topic. Ryan Poles has been doing the right things. I remember last season thinking the Kansas City Chiefs were going to struggle on the offensive line. Boy, was I wrong! Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith did beyond better than what anybody could imagine.

The history doesn’t stop there with the Chiefs. Lucas Niang and Mitch Morse were drafted outside the first round and proved to be much better than anybody could imagine. Outside of Eric Fisher and Patrick Mahomes, the last two offensive players drafted in the first round by KC were Jonathan Baldwin (WR) and Dwayne Bowe (WR), dating back to 2004.

The New England Patriots have whiffed on what feels like every top-pick offensive playmaker since Terry Glenn. Poles is building a solid team foundation. The national media better recognize it before it’s too late. I don’t want to hear apologies come October from them. I would much rather guys like Louis Riddick get as much criticism from all fans as Madden 23 is about their terrible player ratings.