Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles expresses confidence in the team’s roster depth and overall improvements as they head into the 2024 season, with playoff aspirations in sight.
Bollywood Fever: After a busy offseason and an impressive preseason, the Chicago Bears appear ready to make significant strides this season—but the question remains, will they? That’s the key concern for Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles as the team prepares for their season opener next weekend.
Poles addressed the media on Wednesday to discuss the current state of the roster and the challenges faced during NFL cutdown day. He described this year’s roster decisions as the most difficult of his three-year tenure.
“This year, by far in the first three years, was the most difficult time whittling this thing down to 53. We had some really good discussions, a lot of back and forth, constantly talking about, worrying about today, but also looking into the future,” Poles explained.
As he enters his third season as GM, Poles expressed pride in the team’s progress, citing “significant improvements” across the roster. He attributed this growth not only to talent acquisition and coaching but also to the character and culture within the team—factors that made the final roster cuts even more challenging.
“The other thing that I really learned this year is when you’re intentional about bringing in the right type of people, when you invest in relationships, you invest in time and bonding and creating this group and this culture, it makes cutdown day extremely hard, emotional,” Poles said. “But at the end of the day, there are business decisions that have to happen, and you have to get this thing down to a 53-man roster, which was difficult.”
Poles is particularly proud of the offensive line, a group that has been under scrutiny but now, according to him, possesses the best depth he’s seen in his tenure.
“This is the best depth I’ve ever had,” Poles stated, adding that he feels more confident in the O-line than ever before.
As the Bears look ahead to the 2024 season, Poles outlined what he considers a successful year.
“Obviously getting into the playoffs and winning playoff games would be outstanding, but I think the biggest thing is can we take that big jump from where we were last year to this year, and I think we’re capable of that,” he said.
Poles credited head coach Matt Eberflus for establishing a high standard and maintaining team unity through tough times.
“What’s gonna be awesome is those things will be established and when the winning comes, you have a stronger product because of it,” Poles concluded.
With confidence in the team’s depth and a focus on growth, the Bears enter the 2024 season with optimism and a clear goal: to make a significant leap forward and contend in the playoffs.
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