Ryan Poles is set to remain in place for years to come. The Bears reached agreement on an extension with their general manager Friday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Poles had two years remaining on his deal, but today’s agreement will add to his tenure in the Windy City. Poles is now under contract through 2029. That lines his pact up with that of new head coach Ben Johnson. This move comes as little surprise given the confidence shown this year in Poles, 39, by team president Kevin Warren. 
Hired in 2022 alongside Matt Eberflus, Poles has overseen a number of roster changes during his tenure. The team has not developed as hoped over the past three years – posting a combined record of 15-36 over that span – and Eberflus did not make through the 2024 campaign. As Johnson aims to provide Chicago with long-term stability on the sidelines, though, Poles will remain in place to continue the rebuild he has undertaken since his arrival from a lengthy tenure with the Chiefs.
Of course, the focal point of that process will be the development of Caleb Williams. Poles worked out a blockbuster trade with the Panthers in 2023 which allowed Carolina to move up to No. 1 in that year’s draft and select Bryce Young. One the of elements of that trade was that Chicago owned the Panthers’ top choice in 2024, which wound up being the first overall selection. Taking advantage of the opportunity to start over under center after three years with Justin Fields in place, Poles traded Fields and drafted Williams last spring.
A number of moves made last offseason – such as the acquisition of wideout Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift – were aimed at easing Williams’ acclimation to the NFL. Questions lingered about the state of Chicago’s offensive line entering the campaign, however, and (in part due to that unit’s play) Williams took a league-leading 68 sacks. One of Poles’ key goals this year was to shore up the interior of the Bears’ O-line, and he landed guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade. Each signed extensions tying them to the team through 2027, which is also the length of center Drew Dalman‘s free agent deal.
Adding further pass-catching options during the draft, Poles selected tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and receiver Luther Burden in the second. The latter will join a WR room led by D.J. Moore – part of the package which went to Chicago in the Young blockbuster – as well as 2024 top-10 selection Rome Odunze. At the tight end spot, Loveland will form a tandem with Cole Kmet, who is among the players Poles has extended on long-term deals during his tenure.
On defense, Chicago’s secondary has been the target for multiple lucrative deals. Over the past two offseasons, Poles has authorized extensions for cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, and they will remain key members of a defense led by edge rusher Montez Sweat and the Tremaine Edmunds–T.J. Edwards tandem at linebacker moving forward. Chicago’s defense has improved in terms of points allowed during each of the past three years, but after ranking 13th in 2024 there is still room for another step forward from the unit.
Of course, Poles’ time in charge has included notable misses as well. The prime example on that front is the second-round pick traded to the Steelers for receiver Chase Claypool in 2022. Claypool showed promise during his time in Pittsburgh, but he made a total of just 18 catches with the Bears. He was dealt in 2023 to the Dolphins as part of a Day 3 pick swap, an illustration of the extent to which the initial move on Poles’ part did not pan out.
The NFC North sent three teams to the postseason in 2024, and expectations will be high once more in the division this year. Coming off a 5-12 campaign, Chicago will look to take a step forward and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Failure to do so may have fueled speculation about a 2026 GM change, but today’s news ensures Poles’ job security for at least the intermediate future.
I’ve been waiting for this article since before the draft.
Great news as a Vikings fan
the 2 worst drafters in the NFC: Ryan Poles & Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Yeah, Kwesi has drafted horribly and the Vikings have won 34 games in 3 years, so at least he’s good at something.
Poles is going to need another 2 or 3 seasons to get to 30 wins, and that’s with him pulling off one of the biggest heists in NFL history with that Bryce Young deal. If I was a Bears fan, I’d want someone competent to build a roster around Caleb. Poles has not been anywhere close to competent.
All the things being said about the Bears right now right now is just talk. Right now everyone is even. Everybody thinks they fixed their teams in the off season. Everyone is going to the Super Bowl. The Bears have a new vibe that was completely lost last year. The Bears are better already now that we have a HC who knows how and when to call TO. That’s a big improvement right there. They’ve got new Coaches, A new stadium on the way that I won’t live to see but hey I can’t everything. I never thought I’d live to see the Bears with a GM and HC with the same contracts. There’s progress but nobody knows how much until they line up on opposite sides of the field. All the Viking , Lions and Packers talk is just that-talk. Talk is cheap.
Yes, the long history of Viking championships will continue with Poles at the helm.
Championship ? lol ! Do you really think Poles is calling the shots ? Some of you people are clueless
So if not Poles who is Einstein? Warren’s trying to build a stadium. McCaskey is trying to build a stadium and sell McKenna’s shares to somebody he can control. Who else has the time. Besides , There is only so much left to do with 10 million bucks right now. So come on genius who then?
I remember last offseason that Ben Johnson made a comment that the DC group was ‘more basketball than football orientated’. To that effect. Exactly what does he see in the Bears ownership, football????
just a few days after the Steelers extended his father.
Wild, I thought he was firmly on the hot seat this year
Poles run teams in Chicago have won 3, 7, and 5 games per season. Maybe see if things *actually* turn around before extending the guy?
Whatever Johnson and Poles do from now on it will be together at least. And that’s the way it should be and rarely ever has on the Bears. I think they’ve done a pretty good job so far in a few months. I’m willing to see what happens next. Now at least they HAVE to work together. There’s no room for a major beef now.
I’m really going to miss the excitement that occurs when the Bears interview 24 candidates for job openings 🙂
If Caleb Williams doesn’t turn into a franchise QB you won’t have to wait long. Especially if Jayden Daniels continues to look like Patrick Mahomes 2.0.
The rest of the NFC North is thanking the Chicago Bears for it’s commitment to mediocrity. I wasn’t aware you could buy stock in basements until this happened.