Chicago Bears Extend GM Contract
Introduction
The Chicago Bears have made a major move to secure their future by extending the contract of general manager Ryan Poles through the 2029 season. This decision has been met with excitement and praise from both fans and the football community.
Contract Extension
Poles has been with the Bears organization since 2013 and has played a pivotal role in the team's recent success, including back-to-back playoff appearances. His expertise and strategic approach have been crucial in building a strong and competitive team. This contract extension shows the Bears' confidence in Poles and their commitment to continue building a winning team for years to come.
Team Building Strategy
Poles has a proven track record of making smart and strategic decisions when it comes to building the Bears' roster. He has a keen eye for talent and has made significant moves in the draft and free agency that have paid off on
About the People Mentioned
Ryan Poles
Ryan Poles, born September 20, 1985, is an American football executive and former offensive lineman serving as the general manager of the Chicago Bears in the NFL.[2][1] A Boston College graduate, he played offensive tackle for the Eagles, blocking for future star quarterback Matt Ryan, and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Bears in 2008 but never appeared in a game due to injury.[1][2][3] After transitioning from playing, Poles began his front-office career as a recruiting assistant at Boston College in 2008 before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 as a player personnel assistant.[1][2][4] Over 13 seasons with the Chiefs, he advanced through roles including college scouting administrator, director of college scouting, and executive director of player personnel, contributing to drafts of franchise cornerstones like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill.[1][2][3][5] His work supported the Chiefs' rebuild from a 4-12 record in 2012 to multiple Super Bowl titles.[1] Hired as Bears GM on January 25, 2022, replacing Ryan Pace, Poles quickly traded linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chargers for draft picks, hired head coach Matt Eberflus, and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.[2] He orchestrated trades to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting quarterback Caleb Williams, followed by wide receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9, acquiring Keenan Allen, and signing D'Andre Swift; he later fired Getsy and hired Shane Waldron.[2][3] In the 2025 draft, Poles added tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, and running back Kyle Monangai, bolstering the line with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson.[2] On July 11, 2025, Poles signed a three-year extension through 2029, underscoring his ongoing leadership in rebuilding the Bears.[2] Married to Katie with two children, Mason and Jordyn, he draws on player and scouting experience for team culture and success.[3][5] (298 words)
About the Organizations Mentioned
Chicago Bears
The **Chicago Bears** are a historic professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the NFL's charter members, founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys before moving to Chicago in 1921 and adopting their current name in 1922[1][2][7]. They compete in the NFC North division and have a significant legacy marked by **nine NFL championships**, including eight pre-Super Bowl NFL titles and one Super Bowl victory in 1985 (Super Bowl XX), making them second only to the Green Bay Packers in total championships won[1][3][4]. The Bears are renowned for pioneering contributions to the game, including being the first NFL team to buy a player from another team in 1922 and playing in the first NFL indoor game in 1932[1]. Their dominant era was notably under the leadership of George Halas—nicknamed "Papa Bear"—who was a founder, player, coach, owner, and general manager. Halas coached the team in four separate stints over nearly five decades, amassing 324 victories, a record that stood for 27 years, and shaping the Bears into a football powerhouse[1][2][6]. Under his guidance, the Bears won multiple championships in the 1940s, including the legendary 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in 1940, a record for the largest margin of victory in NFL history[1][2][6]. The Bears have produced 39 Hall of Fame players, hold the record for the most retired jersey numbers (14), and have the most members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (29), underscoring their historical and cultural impact on the sport[3]. They also innovated offensive strategies, developing the T-formation offense that revolutionized the quarterback position and offensive play[3]. Although the Bears have struggled in recent decades with sporadic playoff appearances and fewer winning seasons, they remain a storied franchise with
