The ownership of the Chicago Bears has reportedly made a decision on the head coaching search that could keep a top candidate from taking the job.
During the press conference earlier in December with CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles regarding Maff Eberflus’ firing, Warren claimed that the head coaching search would be a joint task between himself and Poles.
When asked how the coaching search would work with a general manager trending toward the hot seat in 2025, Poles said that he’d be able to work through that with any candidate.
Following the press conference, it appeared Warren was the main authority in the search.
Chicago Bears ownership wants GM Ryan Poles to make the call
Per a report Monday by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Chicago’s ownership wants Poles making the final call.
“The biggest question that prime candidates have is about the role of team president Kevin Warren, and I think the McCaskey family is aware of that,” Breer wrote. “To that end, GM Ryan Poles is set up to run point on the search, and I’m told it’s because that’s the way ownership wants it. Warren will have a seat at the table and a major say, of course. But Poles will, too, as the McCaskeys seek alignment on the football operations side.”
Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson wants his own GM
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Usually, general managers pick the head coach, but this offseason, things are more complicated. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, considered the top head coaching candidate in the NFL this year, wants his own GM. Per Breer, Johnson might not take Chicago’s job with Poles as the GM.
“Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s name has been linked to Chicago forever,” Breer wrote. “I think last year, the Bears would’ve been near the top of his list. This year? It’s probably more wait-and-see. He’ll be selective this year taking interviews, likely only to sit down with teams he can see himself working for.
“And while I expect him to take an interview with Chicago, his criteria will remain as we’ve outlined, with Johnson seeking alignment with a GM and an ownership group willing to identify and fix its mistakes. Maybe he’ll find that in Chicago. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
Johnson isn’t the only candidate who will want to bring his own GM to Chicago. Expected candidate Miek Vravel reportedly wants his own GM for his next gig.
The Bears are taking a risk by holding onto Poles during the coaching search. Frankly, with 14 wins in three seasons, Poles hasn’t done enough to make the ownership value him more than an incoming coach like Johnson.
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