LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — As the Bears have surrounded head coach Ben Johnson in victorious locker room celebrations this season, general manager Ryan Poles is usually standing behind the scene smiling.
Johnson's first year in Chicago is Poles' fourth year on the job here, and he's finally seeing his plan come to fruition. At least for the moment, the Bears have taken the NFC North as Poles promised when he was hired in January 2022.
After three largely dysfunctional seasons under former head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears are on the cusp of contention with Johnson leading the way in 2025. It's clear that coaching is the big reason why the Bears are on a sudden rise.
Players in whom Poles saw potential are being developed well by Johnson’s coaching staff. A roster that seemed like one of the worst in the NFL a year ago is displaying promise.
Poles and Johnson both deserve credit. Poles' vision for the roster and the individual talents on it has become clear with Johnson at the helm.
Bears right tackle Darnell Wright – whom Poles selected at No. 10 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft after passing on the chance to take Eagles standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter – is playing at an All-Pro level under the tutelage of new offensive line coach Dan Roushar. On the other side, left tackle Theo Benedet has developed from being an undrafted free agent a year ago into a capable starter. The Bears' offensive line has gone from a glaring weakness to a great strength.
Veteran running back D’Andre Swift, who's playing in the second season of a three-year, $24-million deal, has turned into dynamic weapon in Johnson’s offense after an underwhelming 2024 season. Swift and rookie running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick in April, have formed a strong tandem on the backfield.
The Bears ranked 25th in rushing in 2024, and quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times. They're second in rushing this season, and Williams has been sacked just 16 times in 10 games.
On defense, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has transformed from a potential salary cap casualty to a Pro Bowl-caliber performer. He has thrived after being shifted from the middle linebacker position to the weakside spot. Given Edmunds’ success at his new position, it seems perplexing that Eberflus’ staff didn’t make the change previously. Either way, Poles’ belief in Edmunds is being validated.
On the back end of the defense, journeyman cornerback Nahshon Wright has enjoyed a breakthrough in place of injured All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson. After Wright was let go by the Vikings in April, the Bears signed him with the belief that he'd benefit from working with new cornerbacks coach Al Harris. Through 10 games, Wright has four interceptions, which ranks second in the NFL, behind only teammate Kevin Byard.
Poles has identified the right players for Johnson and his staff to develop, and there are plenty of individual success stories amid the team's breakthrough.
Entering Week 12, the Bears are 7-3 and sit in first place in the NFC North as they prepare to host the Steelers (6-4) on Sunday at Soldier Field. If the playoffs started this week, the rival Green Bay Packers would come to Chicago for a matchup in the wild-card round.
There’s a long way to go for the Bears to reach the playoffs. In its final seven regular-season games, Chicago will face just one opponent that currently has a losing record. Even if the Bears struggle late in the season or their momentum is slowed, that won’t be an indicator of their long-term trajectory.
The Bears have a head coach in Johnson who's maximizing the talent on the roster. With that, it has also become clear that Poles should be viewed differently now.
After three years of struggles, the Bears are fulfilling Poles’ plan.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.