The Chicago Bears made a surprising move when it was reported that they’re signing general manager Ryan Poles to a multi-year contract extension that keeps him in Chicago through the 2029 season.
The move, while understandable as it aligns Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson for the next five years, has come as a shock to many considering the Bears have gone 15-36 since Poles took over, which included no winning seasons, no playoff appearances and two seasons with five or fewer wins.
Poles has made some impactful moves, including most notably the trade of the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers that resulted in an impressive haul that includes quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver DJ Moore and right tackle Darnell Wright. He’s also landed other big names via trade, including defensive end Montez Sweat and most recently guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
But Poles has just as many misses as wins, including trading wide receiver Chase Claypool, receiver Velus Jones Jr., offensive lineman Ryan Bates and trading linebacker Roquan Smith (then signing Tremaine Edmunds). Although, Poles’ most egregious move (or lack thereof) was the decision to bring back former head coach Matt Eberflus last season — and that led to one of the most disastrous seasons in franchise history including a 10-game losing streak, 5-12 record and in-season coach firing.
As you can imagine, there’s been plenty of reaction to the news of Poles’ extension, which has left many shocked that Poles has been rewarded with an extension without showing the results on the field and has others trying to trust the process as Poles and Johnson are now linked through 2029.
NFL world reacts to Bears extending GM Ryan Poles
I get the #Bears extending Ryan Poles. Makes sense to get his contract lined up with Ben Johnson’s.
It hasn’t all come together yet for Poles, but they have plenty of young players, a talented QB and an innovative new coach.
Big bet on things coming together.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) July 11, 2025
People are going to hate on this but i have said it before and i will again, i love Poles.
He took over a team that had 80+ mill in dead cap, almost 60% of the roster hitting FA, a trash roster, no 1st rnd pick, 5 total picks and totally flipped the $, picks and roster https://t.co/9cvXLYSjVT
— Taylor Doll (@TayDoll1010xl) July 11, 2025
Now we can finally stop asking how long Poles is under contract for lol like it or love it the deal makes sense so now Ryan & Ben’s jobs are attached so there will be accountability
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) July 11, 2025
Whenever you can extend a 15-36 GM you have to do it https://t.co/fd4NUEj15w
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) July 11, 2025
Poles might be the guy at some point, but he has just as many misses as hits. https://t.co/5d3Iu8ZqcM
— RD (@RDBearsfan) July 11, 2025
Not surprising, Ben Johnson talked heavily about valuing the alignment with the front office in any potential job he took https://t.co/qdMhhrWhvE
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) July 11, 2025
Ryan Poles was literally hired to rebuild the team. Of course his record isn’t going to be impressive but most of the moves he has made have been outstanding and beneficial to long term success for the franchise. Please go a be a fan somewhere else.
— maddie (@madswag4315) July 11, 2025
I think it’s clear Ryan Poles has room for growth but when you put everything into perspective I think it’s obvious he should keep his job. It was time for an extension and he got it. It is what it is. People are mad but theres no “no fire” clause in there I’m sure lol
— Savion (@Savy2Smooth) July 11, 2025
15-36 Overall
3-15 vs. NFC North
4-21 On the Road
4-20 vs. Playoff TeamsIf we’re being honest, Ryan Poles doesn’t deserve to be extended now. However, it makes sense to put him on the same timeline as his new head coach and your new quarterback. Historically, this is… pic.twitter.com/TcVsTMCjWe
— JAY🤘🏽🐻⬇️ (@Directhim) July 11, 2025
Ryan Poles process and approach has always largely been solid. That was never the question with Ryan Poles.
The question is his ability to evaluate talent outside of the first two rounds. The results thus far have been dreadful.
If Poles can improve in that department, he has…
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) July 11, 2025
I understand wanting to align Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson’s contracts.
But c’mon…he’s one Texans miracle away from having nothing. He ran it back with Eberflus last year when he shouldn’t have. Plus the losing record.
You don’t reward mediocre. https://t.co/Rg7GIYF35X
— Aalap Desai (@ADesai410) July 11, 2025
What has Ryan Poles done to earn him this contract? I’m all for tying the GM and Head Coach together but what the hell?? https://t.co/QZq9m7h5rR
— Brian Ferzoco (@FerzocoBrian) July 11, 2025
Pounding the table all offseason for Ben Johnson, who took the job partly because of confidence in relationship with Ryan Poles, and then getting upset about an extension is confusing to me. I have my concerns with Poles but if Johnson believes, I will too. Now win some games. https://t.co/NYxnTiKJlg
— Katz (@ChiKatz76) July 11, 2025
getting Ryan Poles on the same timeline as Ben Johnson is the smart thing to do and the reality of the nfl
get everyone aligned
— Adam the dont stare directly at the sun worm (@trislerstudz) July 11, 2025
I understand matching him up on the same timeline as Ben Johnson. But Ryan Poles hasn’t done enough to warrant a contract extension. He’s had garbage teams for the past 3 seasons and hired a the worst coach in Franchise History AND doubled down on him. Not well deserved https://t.co/HgarWRwhVh
— Camfrey15 (@cameronDwinfrey) July 11, 2025
When Ryan Poles started in Chicago, he inherited an aging roster with a weak coaching staff under Matt Eberflus.
Now Poles has his own HC, QB & a roster that he has been built the last 3 years. The time is NOW for the Bears to start playing good football.
It’s GO time. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N9QOfJIpD0
— Bearsszn (@bearssznn) July 11, 2025
Remember the narrative that the #Bears dysfunction would scare top GM and coaching candidates away? That is just so far from the truth. Being a Bears top decision maker might be one of the loftiest gigs in professional sports. This is how the 2nd GM who as earned an extension…
— Bears Blog Boy (@TommyK_NFLDraft) July 11, 2025
Hey, maybe the Bears HAVE turned a corner. Normally they wouldn’t tell anyone about their GM’s contract and leave it weirdly ambiguous.
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) July 11, 2025
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears extend GM Ryan Poles: NFL world reacts to Chicago’s bold move