The Chicago Bears began their head coaching this week as general manager Ryan Poles and other members of the front office began interviewing over 15 potential candidates for their opening. Through three days of interviews coaches such as Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Anthony Weaver, and Pete Carroll. Although fans and the media want Johnson as the next head coach, given Carroll’s success when it comes to scouting and development, it could be in Poles’ best interest to hire the former Super Bowl winning coach.
Ryan Poles would benefit immensely by hiring Pete Carroll
Following a severely disappointing five-win 20224 season, which included a ten-game losing streak, Poles was under significant scrutiny due to his poor coaching evaluations and roster construction, as many analysts called for his firing at year’s end. Despite there being more negatives than positives with Ryan Poles’ tenure as general manager for the Bears, he has been given the opportunity to hire the team’s next head coach and utilize the immense offseason assets to improve the roster. Through three drafts, Chicago’s general manager has failed to find any Pro Bowl level talents and has several missed mid-round selections, including wide receiver Velus Jones Jr and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.
One of the contributing factors that led to Poles being hired as general manager was his success to identify talent at the college level, which led to him being the Kansas City Chiefs’ Director of College Scouting from 2016 to 2018. He was also credited for helping the Chiefs build their current offensive line as the team drafted Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey and Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith during the 2021 NFL Draft. Through his three seasons with the Bears, the only successful players taken by Ryan Poles in that span has been cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker, quarterback Caleb Williams, along with offensive tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones.
Pete Carroll, on the other hand, has been regarded as one of the best college evaluators, along with developers of talents as a head coach. Carroll isn’t just considered one of the best NFL head coaches of this generation, but also considered one of the best college head coaches ever for his work with the USC Trojans from 2001 to 2009. Pairing the former Super Bowl winning head coach with Poles when it comes to scouting and drafting, could be exactly what the embattled general manager needs.
Poles has struggled on both the scouting and developing standpoint when it comes to building through the draft. His three draft classes have yet to yield a Pro Bowl or All-Pro talent. Ryan Pace, Chicago’s former general manager who was replaced by Ryan Poles, had drafted several Pro Bowl and All-Pro level talented players through his first three draft classes from 2015 to 2017. Some of the best players on the roster currently are Pace holdovers, including tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, offensive guard Tevin Jenkins, and tackle Larry Borom.
Carroll has an outstanding resume of players that he drafted, including several Pro Bowl and All-Pro level playmakers in the mid and late round of the NFL Draft. The former head coach was responsible for building the famed “Legion of Boom” defenses, which featured elite-level players, which included Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, K.J. Wright, and Bruce Irvin. In recent years, Carroll has been identifying quality talent on offense has he drafted or signed players like D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Doug Baldwin, Kenneth Walker III, Russell Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Ryan Poles’ Scouting and Draft process could benefit significantly from Pete Carroll’s presence
Carroll, although if hired, would likely be the Bears’ head coach for at most three or four seasons due to his age, his ability to identify quality talent could help the franchise for many years after his departure. The proven head coach could come in and help Poles make certain adjustments to how Chicago’s front office scout college-level players and help determine which prospects have the best potential. Ryan Poles’ current front office lacks an experienced executive that has had sustained success scouting and drafting, something that Carroll would resolve immediately if brought in.
Chicago is in desperate need of a head coach that is not only able to develop Williams as a quarterback, but also develop an offensive line to protect the signal-caller. Poles failed mightily to protect the first overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft, as the rookie was the most sacked signal-caller in the NFL this year. Carroll has already proven to be able to build an offensive line through the draft, as one of the reasons for Seattle’s sustained playoff success from 2012 to 2022 has been because the coach has continually had a strong offensive line and defensive line.
If Carroll were to come in and help Poles record back-to-back draft classes that feature multiple Pro Bowl level talents, it would give the team a chance at sustained success, well after he is gone. The Super Bowl head coach could leave Ryan Poles a blueprint when it comes to scouting and drafting, something that could keep the general manager with Chicago for a long time. Additionally, depending on who Carroll hires to be apart of his coaching staff, some coaches could still be employed by the Bears even after the head coach as moved on, which would help ensure continuity.
Ryan Poles is doing extensive research on which candidate may make the best hire for the Bears’ head coaching vacancy. Although Ben Johnson may be the most attractive candidate from a play-calling standpoint, Carroll could be the best candidate for the future of Poles’ tenure as general manager. If the Bears were to hire the former Super Bowl winning coach, they wouldn’t just be getting a proven leader of men, but also one of the best at identifying and developing future talent.
Chicago Sports 2022 Holiday Season Gift Guide
Read MoreFor More Great Chicago Sports Content
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
