5 worst decisions Ryan Poles made in year one as Chicago Bears GM

Chicago Bears signings that were close to home fell apart

This happens all of the time across any sport. When a new coach or general manager gets hired, they bring in their guys. The guys they loved coaching from a past team, and the guys that they think are hidden gems. For Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus, and Luke Getsy, it may be a learning lesson about getting too close to people.

Ryan Poles signed Byron Pringle to be his guy. He was there when Pringle signed as a rookie UDFA, and I bet it made him feel good to give him his first real free-agent deal. Injuries and off-of-the-field issues aided this, but Pringle was a huge dud this year.

Even if he was behind because of injuries, the inability to beat out Dante Pettis when you are making over twice as much as him says it all.

Matt Eberlflus saw Al-Quadin Muhammad get drafted in round six, and watched his man blossom into a rotational pass rusher. He had to give AQM a chance on this depleted line. Now, most fans would love for Muhammad to sign with any other team. His contract was also a million or two more than you would expect, and the production did not pay out.

Lastly, Lucas Patrick. Of course, Luke Getsy worked with him so well, it is a perfect fit. He would be the center of the future, and his contract will look like a bargain. Nope, it was another overpay. Injuries hurt Patrick, but he was legitimately bad when he played at guard, and he ended with 10 snaps at center.

Every story is the same. He was drafted late or was a UDFA journeyman. He worked hard, and the coach saw it firsthand. They probably fit the culture. All three were overpaid and all three struggled to make any impact. In all likelihood, all three will be gone. The Chicago Bears need to stick to the plan, and not stick with guys they know and love.