Bears GM Ryan Poles will be taking an unconventional approach at the 2025 Combine, but it'll be a big opportunity for Ben Johnson
With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine set to kickoff this week, many are looking forward to seeing some of the top prospects in the class test on the field and take part in interviews with the media (and private meetings with all 32 teams).The second main component of this event is the intel acquired from […]
With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine set to kickoff this week, many are looking forward to seeing some of the top prospects in the class test on the field and take part in interviews with the media (and private meetings with all 32 teams).
The second main component of this event is the intel acquired from general managers and head coaches in attendance. The combine presents another opportunity for the media to pick the brains of those running the teams before entering into the start of free agency and eventually the draft.
Below is the expected media availability schedule for the 2025 NFL Combine for various head coaches and general managers around the league, starting on Tuesday.
Note, the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints are not listed below due to neither team having any HC or GM availability.
Chicago Bears fans might notice something off about that list. That's right, general manager Ryan Poles will be one of five general managers who will not be speaking with the media at the official podium this week, that doesn't mean he won't be in attendance this week, he just won't be fielding podium questions from the media.
UPDATE: Poles will be speaking around 10:00 am EST.
New head coach Ben Johnson will have his own scheduled media availability on Tuesday starting at 1:00 pm EST.
Barring any late change to the schedule, Poles will not take part in this official process for the second year in a row, but we will still hear from him like we did last year outside of the structured press conference.
In previous years, Poles' comments have carried a lot of weight during the combine, including what the team was planning to do with the first overall pick in 2024 (before eventually trading it to Carolina) and giving insight into Justin Fields' future with the team last offseason.
If Poles indeed decides not to meet with the media at the podium this week, for whatever reason it might be, it will lead to a big opportunity for Ben Johnson. Traditionally, only general managers and head coaches get media availability at the combine, meaning this will be Johnson's first opportunity to take part in the major media scrum.
Tuesday will be the first time we'll get to hear from Johnson since finalizing his star-studded coaching staff and after analyzing the existing roster with his new staff going into 2025. Speaking of which, Johnson already started making changes to that last week by cutting ties with tight end Gerald Everett and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
Without Poles taking official questions, that leaves Johnson front and center to answer all the questions firing his way regarding the direction and future of the Bears. That includes what other decisions will be made during this pivotal offseason. It'll be a big day for him.
