The Chicago Bears suffered another blowout loss on Sunday, losing 34-17 to the Detroit Lions.
With each loss, general manager Ryan Poles' lack of investment in the trenches during his tenure puts his future in question. The offensive line has been his biggest kryptonite.
Despite being a former offensive lineman himself, it is safe to say Poles does not know how to evaluate them. Rookie Kiran Amegadjie was made inactive after his disastrous first-career start last Monday night as if he was being punished. The signing of Nate Davis last season was exposed when he ignored warning signs of his lack of commitment from his days with the Tennessee Titans.
And Ryan Bates, whom he wanted for two years and got him for a 2024 5th-round draft pick, went on IR with a concussion, ending his season with only 105 snaps. Both Bates and Davis are the latest examples of Poles overestimating players who failed elsewhere and wasting draft capital.
Even worse for Poles, left tackle Braxton Jones suffered a serious injury, putting his 2025 season in jeopardy. Amegadjie, along with backups like Larry Borom and Jake Curhan, are going to have to protect Williams with two games left.
The issues on trenches extend to the defense as they could not contain the Lion's offense coordinated by Ben Johnson, who toyed with the Bear's defense all day and left a strong impression on the Bears fans who want him to be the next head coach. Quarterback Jared Goff was rarely touched, as he threw for 329 yards and sacked only once. Without Andrew Billings, the run defense gave up a whopping 146 rushing yards.
There is no ignoring Ryan Poles' mistakes.
As Poles wraps up his third year as the general manager, he is in danger of becoming the latest in a long line of former general managers who failed to address the offensive line. Outside of Darnell Wright, they have to add four new starters on the offensive line in 2025 in the wake of Jones' injury news.
The defense, meanwhile, badly needs another edge rusher to complement Montez Sweat and several defensive tackles as well.
It is up to Kevin Warren now to determine if it is worth extending Poles, hoping he fixes both trenches in one off-season. With another double-digit losing streak looming, Sunday's result makes it easier for Warren to fire him.