INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) -- High atop the 34-floor JW Marriott property just two blocks from Indiana’s capitol building, the Bears set up their suite for 45 interviews with prospects at the NFL Combine. And this year, there were a couple unique additions to the room: a putting green and a dart board.
Before beginning the 18-minute interviews, the Bears challenged each prospect to a round of putt-putt or darts. It allowed general manager Ryan Poles, coach Matt Eberflus and their scouting group to get a quick glimpse at the competitive juice of each prospect while also creating the desired effect of a more comfortable interview setting.
"Before we get into all the questions, we do some fun and games and compete a little bit to get the guys to relax because a lot of times it seems like it's a tough, intense situation to walk into a room full of people," Poles told the team’s website.
The idea came from Poles and Eberflus as they sought to break up the monotony of their interviews with the prospects, who spend long hours shuffling in and out of suites with the NFL's 32 teams.
Before the Bears sat down with each prospect, they asked them to pick a game to play. Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., a projected top-15 pick, chose to play darts.
"The first two, I hit some snaps on the corner, hit the wall, I’m like, ‘Oh, my god, they’re going to end this meeting,’” Johnson said with a smile. “And then it just hit the board, so I was happy. I hit the board on the last one. Turns out I probably should’ve chosen golf. Yeah, it was cool. It set the vibe.”
SMU receiver Rashee Rice deadpanned when asked about his meeting with the Bears.
“Luke Getsy beat me in golf,” Rice said of the Bears’ offensive coordinator.
While the NFL Combine is best-known for its on-field action – such as the 40-yard dash, broad jumping and physical testing – the most important parts of the week for teams are the medical evaluations and interviews, the latter of which allows general managers, coaches and scouts the opportunity to learn more about the person behind the prospect.
Since being hired by the Bears as their general manager in January 2022, Poles has put an emphasis on mental skills and the psychological aspect of football. Last July, the Bears hired Mike Wiley Jr. as their director of mental skills and performance. Poles has also been open about his own personal visits with a sports psychologist and is a supporter of that field.
Those inside the Bears’ suite felt the games of putt-putt and darts created the environment they wanted. For the prospects involved, they had an increased comfort in opening up with the Bears.
“These can be some stressful times,” Johnson said. “For them to be like, ‘You know what? Before we get started, let’s play this game.’ It gets your mind going and relaxes you, opens up to talking.
“It’s something, that Bears interview, I’m always going to remember.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker