‘Different opinions’: Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have their differences

Because the Chicago Bears don’t like to discuss contract details in the front office, one of the great unknowns this offseason is the status of general manager Ryan Poles. Some on the Bears’ beat believe Chicago gave him a contract extension when head coach Ben Johnson was hired.

Poles appeared to be on shaky ground before landing Johnson. The Bears have won just 15 games since he was hired in 2022. However, it’s possible that Johnson wanted Chicago to have a stable GM situation when he took over.

Of course, there’s always the possibility that Poles in a similar situation that Doug Whaley found himself in with the Buffalo Bills in 2017, when he was fired after the draft, so new head coach Sean McDermott could bring in Brandon Beane. If Johnson wanted his own GM in, he could make a push for a change in direction after the draft.

GM Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson do have their differences

Per Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune, Poles admitted that he and Johnson had different opinions on players, but they put aside those differences during the draft to select the best players for Chicago.

“It’s spending time and watching tape together to figure out what direction we need to go in,” Poles said. “We’re going to have different opinions, we’re going to see players differently, but it’s coming together, watching tape and figuring out what’s best for the organization… How can we put the opposing defense in a bind?”

One of the telling differences between Poles and Johnson and what attributes they want in the trenches. Johnson wants his offensive linemen to beef up and gain weight this offseason. Poles told his linemen to lose weight and get lean before training camp in 2022, something then-head coach Matt Eberflus agreed with.

The Bears’ play in the trenches was a significant contributor to the organization’s only winning 15 games in three seasons.

Who is really in charge of the Chicago Bears?

Per Mike Sando of The Athletic, an NFL executive thinks Chicago’s picks in the draft show Johnson is more in charge at Halas Hall in Poles.

“Your first pick is in some way a statement about what this team needs and how they are going to play and how they are going to win,” another exec said. “(Loveland) is an interesting choice, and I think you can tell it was coach-driven.”

Taking wide receiver Luther Burden III at No. 39 also points to the handywork of the offensive-minded head coach.

While Poles and Johnson are cooperative in their first offseason together, it appears the general manager is trying to appease his coach. One has to wonder what will happen if Poles makes a major decision that Johnson disagrees with.

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