(670 The Score) The Bears have hired Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles as their new general manager, the team officially announced Tuesday evening.
Poles, 36, was tabbed after conducting a second interview with the Bears’ brass Tuesday, this time in person at Halas Hall. He initially met with Chicago’s search team last Friday in a virtual interview.
“We are thrilled to be able to add someone of Ryan’s background and football expertise to our organization,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. “His accomplishments with the Chiefs speak for themselves and amplified the team’s standing as one of the premier franchises in professional sports. We are confident that under his leadership, we will reach our goal of bringing a Super Bowl championship to Chicago.”
Poles has worked for the Chiefs for the past 13 years, serving in six different roles under three general managers. He broke in with Kansas City as a player personnel assistant in 2009, was promoted to college scouting administrator from 2010-’12, moved to the role of college scouting director from 2013-’17 and then became the assistant director of player personnel from 2018-’20 before transitioning into his executive director of player personnel position this season.
As the Chiefs’ director of player personnel, Poles oversaw the college scouting department while assisting in pro personnel and free agency.
He has worked with general managers Scott Pioli, John Dorsey and Brett Veach in Kansas City.
The Chiefs have won the AFC West crown in six straight seasons with Poles in the front office and are set to play in their fourth consecutive AFC Championship on Sunday. Poles earned a Super Bowl championship ring with Kansas City in February 2020.
“I am extremely grateful to George, the McCaskey family and the rest of the Bears organization for this opportunity,” Poles said in a statement. “The Chicago Bears are one of the flagship franchises in the National Football League and are recognized as one of the most prestigious clubs in all of sports. It’s an honor for me to join such a well-regarded organization. Together with my family, I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running to help get this organization, its fanbase and the city what they deserve: a winning team and a Super Bowl trophy.”
A Boston College graduate and offensive lineman, Poles signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2008 but never appeared in a game.
Poles takes over the role of Bears general manager from Ryan Pace, who was fired on Jan. 10 after seven seasons in Chicago. Pace was 48-65 in leading the Bears' football operations department, producing a lone winning season in 2018.
With Poles on board, the Bears now must hire a head coach. It’s believed that Poles will lead the completion of that process, which has included interviews with 10 candidates already.
The Bears haven't yet set a date or time to officially introduce Poles.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.