Latest NFL rankings show Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles is trending up, but one comparison hints how it could all come crashing down
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles climbed up the NFL GM rankings after his first season working with head coach Ben Johnson, but that doesn’t mean his future is any more secure.
It wasn’t long ago when Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was viewed as a hot-seat general manager with the majority of the fanbase questioning whether or not Poles could actually turn this team back around.
Well, Poles is now entering Year 5 of his tenure with the organization and the Bears are reigning NFC North champs with legit Super Bowl expectations going into the 2026 season, thanks in large part to last year’s hire of head coach Ben Johnson.
When Johnson was hired, there was an initial thought that the hot-shot head coach would consider unseating Poles to bring in his own general manager. Instead, Johnson and Poles shared an aligned future for the organization, leading to an extension for the existing general manager that’ll line up with Johnson’s contract.
One year into working together, the Bears are back and Poles is starting to gain some positive external support.
NFL GM rankings list Chicago Bears’ Ryan Poles in the Top-15 for the first time
Over the last few years, NBC Sports’ Patrick Daugherty ranks the general managers in the NFL and for the first time, Ryan Poles cracked the Top-15 coming in at #14 on the list. Poles previously ranked 23rd, 22nd, and 25th.
Daugherty praised Poles’ work rebuilding Chicago’s offensive line last season (with Johnson’s help) and finally getting that unit right for the first time since he took over as the team’s general manager.
And while the 2026 offseason was quiet, the Bears still handled difficult situations with ease such as the decision to trade veteran wide receiver DJ Moore and handling the sudden retirement of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman.
Where things could go wrong for Ryan Poles, including a comparison he doesn’t want to hear
While Daugherty finally has Poles climbing up the rankings going into his fifth season with the Bears, he couldn’t help but point out the impact Johnson had on the franchise that Poles gets to share the credit for. In fact, he even brought up a comparison that could bring some worry for Chicago’s top executive.
Poles should survive next offseason in that scenario, but life can be tough for unsung GMs opposite hot-shot head coaches. Take Poles’ now former division rival Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s word for it.
Patrick Daugherty
NBC Sports
Comparing Poles to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is harsh, but it is notable. Adofo-Mensah, the former Minnesota Vikings general manager, was hired alongside hot-shot head coach Kevin O’Connell in 2022 and was recently fired this offseason due to roster management and friction that started to build with O’Connell.
Fortunately, for the time being, Poles and Johnson seem to be on the same page with how things are trending in Chicago.
“I am proud of the progress that we’ve made,” Poles at his end-of-season press conference. “And knowing that, we can’t be complacent. We’ve got to keep pushing forward. [Johnson and I] both come from organizations (Detroit and Kansas City) that have stacked success in back-to-back years. We know the challenge that comes with having success and then trying to get back to that the following year.”
It would have to take something catastrophic to happen in 2026 for things to start souring between Johnson and Poles, like what happened in Minnesota, based on the process the two have already made together.
Another season with a disappointing pass rush could be what causes the cracks to start in Chicago
The one thing that could lead to some cracks between Johnson and Poles would easily be another season of a disappointing pass rush. While the staff pointed the fingers inward for the lack of success rushing the passer in 2025, Poles and the front office doubled-down by not adding a single edge rusher to the mix despite brief interest in acquiring Maxx Crosby or a first-round edge rusher in the draft.
The Bears are instead banking on the previous additions Poles made to the roster (Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Gervon Dexter Sr., Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and Shemar Turner) to find improvement after last season.
If that doesn’t happen and the lack of pass rush proves to be the downfall for the team’s Super Bowl hopes, Poles’ heat will start heating up again. If push comes to shove, I’d lean Johnson would side with the defensive coordinator he wanted in Dennis Allen over the general manager he decided to inherit.