Despite a 0-for-3 record in winning seasons as the Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles earned a vote of confidence from team president Kevin Warren. The third-year GM was given the responsibility of leading the search for a new head coach, shortly after the Bears parted ways with Matt Eberflus.
Poles, who arrived in Chicago just before the hiring of Eberflus in 2022, played a role in the hiring decision, even though he wasn’t fully in charge of that search. This time, Poles’ second head coach hire will be more closely associated with him. The new addition, Ben Johnson, comes with much more excitement than Eberflus, and the demand for Johnson has resulted in a lucrative contract.
The Bears agreed to a hefty $13 million-per-year deal for Johnson, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin—more than doubling the $6 million per year that Eberflus received. While a few top-tier coaches, such as Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh, earn more than Johnson, his salary likely ranks among the top-10 for NFL head coaches. The Bears’ decision to offer such a deal followed a competitive bidding process, with Johnson also drawing heavy interest from the Jaguars and Raiders. Although the Raiders never made a formal offer, they were prepared to present a significant contract, and the Jaguars also targeted Johnson as their top choice. However, Jacksonville’s GM situation hindered their pursuit, and Las Vegas couldn’t offer a deal as enticing as what Chicago provided.
Meanwhile, the two teams that ultimately hired coaches—the Raiders and Jaguars—are both in flux with their front offices. Johnson, however, will work with Poles, who is not expected to be replaced by the new head coach. There’s even talk of Poles getting an extension that matches Johnson’s deal. Although Poles is under contract until 2026, the Bears are likely to authorize an extension, signaling a continued commitment to him, despite his lackluster 15-36 record as GM. His predecessor, Ryan Pace, was granted more time, ultimately making the playoffs in his fourth season. The Bears’ pattern has historically involved giving GMs more chances to rebuild than head coaches, as seen with Pace’s extension.
Although Poles is not the most successful GM from the 2022 class, it would be surprising if he received an extension before others in the same group, such as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Omar Khan, who haven’t yet been extended. However, the Bears’ history shows that they tend to give GMs more room for growth than coaches. While an extension doesn’t guarantee job security, it would provide financial stability for Poles. His tenure as GM will ultimately be defined by how well Johnson works with the team, particularly with high-profile prospects like Caleb Williams, but for now, Poles appears to be on relatively stable ground.
