LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears general manager Ryan Poles has kept the same perspective in mind since he was hired by the organization in January of 2022.
It was then that Poles began to implement his plan to lead the Bears through a rebuilding process with the goal of creating lasting success. As the third year of Poles’ vision is set to begin in earnest with the team's regular-season opener looming on Sept. 8, his priority remains the long-term future – even as hopes are high for 2024.
The Bears have a roster that's ready to win this season, but they're also being led by 22-year-old rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, whose development will require patience. A young core seems primed to take off, though that won’t necessarily occur right away.
Success could very well be coming for the Bears. Poles certainly believes so, but he's also striking a balance in his tone entering the new season.
“(The goal) is always going to be to win championships, to win the division, win Super Bowls,” Poles said Wednesday at Halas Hall. “That’s always the goal. Obviously, getting into the playoffs and winning playoff games would be outstanding. But I think the biggest thing is can we take that big jump from where we were last year to this year? And I think we’re capable of doing that.”
The Bears were 10-24 in Poles' first two seasons in Chicago. That's an unsightly record, but they also showcased progress. Chicago went 7-10 in 2023 and made important additions this offseason in Williams, six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen, dynamic running back D’Andre Swift, two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard and others.
The acquisition of Williams was made possible by a trade Poles made in 2023, when he dealt the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft to the Panthers for star receiver DJ Moore and a haul of draft capital. The selection of Williams at No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft was also the culmination of a long quarterback evaluation led by Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.
In just four months with the Bears, Williams has taken key steps to earn the trust of his team.
“It’s fairly natural,” Poles said of Williams' leadership. “It’s not forced. I think that’s one thing, I mean, we’ve all been in teams before, but like there’s people that come into those situations and they try to hard. It’s like, man, it’s awkward. It’s hard to buy into that. Then there’s guys that, they can navigate that so naturally because they’re authentic and it’s real, and that’s what he’s done. Then on top of that, just as a professional player, you have to perform, you have to do some things that guys like, 'OK, there’s something different about you.' And then pair that with a good natural, just good social skills, some cool things happen and then leadership starts to blossom and that’s what you see now.
“I want him to lean on the talent around him and then when the time is right – and that’s an instinctual thing and I think that plays right into him – that’s when you do the special, and balancing that.”
Ultimately, the Bears could go where Williams takes them this season. He has checked every box since being named the starter shortly after he was drafted. With talented playmakers around him on offense and a strong defense to support him, Williams also enters arguably the best situation that any quarterback taken No. 1 overall has ever had in a rookie season, thanks in large part to the unique circumstances of the Bears-Panthers trade.
Amid the rebuild, Poles hasn’t mortgaged the future for success this season. The Bears have a young core and a healthy salary cap situation. Chicago also owns its own first-round pick and two second-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The development of this roster has also created a foundation for the Bears to build upon.
"I don’t think there’s a lot of guys across the league that would necessarily fit in here, that could understand the way we work every day and kind of the grind we go through,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “But you’ve got to have guys that are willing to accept that and take that challenge on. I think Ryan (Poles) has done a good job of bringing those guys in and (Matt Eberflus) has done an awesome job of implementing that type of culture."
The work certainly won’t stop for Poles and his front office, because there’s no end to the goal of creating sustained success. As the Bears look toward this season with plenty of hope, they see this as the beginning of what's to come. Now, Poles' vision is potentially set to pay dividends.
“I'm proud of the process that we've set up,” Poles said. “It's not just about acquiring the best talent, it's about acquiring the right talent. I think that's what you see in this building. It's special. The group of guys, it's really special.
“A lot of hard work, a lot of time and developing the process so it's sustainable.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.