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Here’s what Ryan Poles said at the NFL Combine about the Bears offseason plans
Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles spoke for a little over 15 minutes at the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning, and quite a bit came out of his answers. Let’s give you a quick recap of what Poles had to say.
Poles went further into it and said they will be aggressive in free agency to add players they think fit the franchise’s new vision.
While I think plenty of people didn’t think Braxton Jones was a lock to be the team’s left tackle in 2026, I think most assumed he would be in 2025. Poles mentioning competition at left tackle certainly opens the door to question if Jones will 100% be the starting left tackle this season.
With Teven Jenkins almost certainly leaving in free agency, that means that Ryan Poles only has 1 of the 5 starting offensive line positions settled heading into this offseason. This will be the main focal point this offseason.
Poles mentioned that Everett and Walker were in a gray area in terms of their futures and with scheme changes, they were no longer a fit. That may be the case with Walker, Everett was released because he was simply a failed free-agent signing who produced very little on the field in 2024.
The Bears have a need at edge opposite Montez Sweat and there appear to be plenty of options at edge depending on how much they want to spend (and some outstanding ones via trade as well). The options are far more limited at the interior offensive line, which means the Bears will need to be aggressive and land the top guys there because the options fall off quickly.
No surprise here, D’Andre Swift was pushed aside for Jamaal Williams in Detroit once Ben Johnson took over as offensive coordinator and then he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Swift may be the team’s RB2 this year because of his contract status, but it’s hard to imagine Johnson will want him starting at running back for the team.
Ben Johnson is smart. This we know. But it’s always nice to hear.
If I’m being honest, I don’t think I really believe this one. I think Johnson will have a lot more say on what they do, especially on the offensive side of the ball. If Eberflus and Johnson do in fact have the same amount of roster control, that means Eberflus had way too much power.
