Announcement: Ryan Poles is in line to hire $15 million per year seeking OC as Bears head coach..But should he be?

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a wide-ranging search for their new head coach, where they’ll be looking for someone who can turn the locker room around while also develop quarterback Caleb Williams.

Following the firing of Matt Eberflus after poor management cost the team another win, the Bears are now approaching what’s one of the most important offseasons in recent memory.

NFL insider Albert Breer has his pulse on the Bears amid their coaching search, and he shared a new in-depth look at where the organization is right now.

What the Bears are looking for in a head coach

Following Eberflus’ firing, president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles explained that they were looking for a “leader of men” type of head coach to fix what’s become a broken locker room culture. According to Breer, that stance has changed just a little bit. And the importance of developing Caleb Williams is a big reason for that.

“One thing that was emphasized to me over the past week was that if that ‘leader of men’ wasn’t specifically a quarterbacks guy, then he’d have to have a very clear and sustainable plan for the quarterback,” Breer wrote.

Who will run the Bears’ coaching search

There’s been plenty of speculation about Poles’ future as GM beyond this season. And even if he survives his third straight losing season, how involved will he be in the search for the new head coach? According to Breer, the involvement of Warren in this process is going to be the biggest question among candidates, to which the McCaskey family is aware.

“To that end, GM Ryan Poles is set up to run point on the search, and I’m told it’s because that’s the way ownership wants it,” Breer said. “Warren will have a seat at the table and a major say, of course. But Poles will, too, as the McCaskeys seek alignment on the football operations side.”

Lions OC Ben Johnson reportedly seeking $15 million per year in head coach deal

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was a buzzy head coaching candidate last offseason but decided to return to his role under head Dan Campbell in Detroit. That move paid off, as Johnson has continued to draw praise while helping the Lions to their first division title in 30 years, setting up the offensive coordinator as an even higher-profile head coach candidate this time around.

And Johnson is already reportedly trying to leverage that interest. According to “Undisputed” contributor Josina Anderson, Johnson is seeking a contract worth around $15 million per year. Ben Johnson has been linked to Chicago for some time, and he appears to be the early front runner

‘Why does he get to save his job?’

By retaining Poles amid justifiable outside speculation about his long-term job security, the Bears have created at least one potential deterrent for prospective coaching candidates. They might worry about a) working under a boss with a mismatched timeline to theirs and b) uniting with a still-green GM who’s perceived to be stuck in the prove-it stages of his development.

Asked last week how he would address such concerns, Poles nodded.

“We can talk through that,” he said. “We’re open to talk through that. You could just ask around in this building and with how we treat people, that shouldn’t be an issue at all.”

For some, though, it will be.

Said one former AFC executive: “What big-time coach is going to sign up, no questions asked, to work with Ryan Poles right now? If you are a serious candidate, you’ll need to ask yourself — and more importantly them — what is the level of belief in Ryan and where exactly does it stem from?

“It sounds harsh. But the first question I’m asking is, ‘Why does he get to save his job?’ And I’d want to walk away with absolutely zero reservations about their answer.”

Why Poles Might Not Be the Right Person

Missed Opportunities: While Poles has made moves, many have yet to pan out. The Bears’ offensive line remains a weakness, and the team’s defensive struggles have persisted despite significant investments.

Coaching Misstep: The Eberflus hire has cast doubt on Poles’ ability to identify the right leader for the team. Can the Bears afford to let him make another critical decision if his first attempt went so poorly?

Player Development Issues: Players like Justin Fields, who should have flourished under Poles’ regime, have struggled with consistency. This raises questions about whether Poles can foster the right environment for talent to thrive.

What Should the Bears Do?

If ownership retains confidence in Poles, the move for Ben Johnson could signal a shift in direction. Poles has the opportunity to pair an innovative offensive coach with the resources he’s accumulated to reshape the team. However, if ownership harbors doubts about Poles’ vision, it might be wiser to bring in a new general manager to oversee the coaching hire.

Verdict

The Bears are at a crossroads. If Ryan Poles stays, hiring Ben Johnson could be his defining move. Yet, his tenure thus far has been underwhelming, and Chicago might need to reevaluate whether Poles is the right person to lead the franchise.

Ultimately, this decision goes beyond just hiring a coach—it’s about setting the foundation for the Bears’ future. Whether that future includes Ryan Poles is a question that must be answered before any contract with Ben Johnson is signed.