Chicago Bears fans are flying high now that the Ben Johnson hire is officially official.
But if you think you’re feeling good about things right now, just imagine how Ryan Poles feels.
The Bears general manager has overseen a team put up a 15-36 record in his three years running the show after Ryan Pace’s dismissal. Under Ryan Poles’ watch, the Bears have fired a head coach, dumped two offensive coordinators, seen two assistants leave after run-ins with HR, and saw two players he traded away to accelerate the tear-down and rebuild become All-Pros with their new teams. This isn’t to say that Poles hasn’t done some good stuff in Chicago, but the negatives have been loud and ugly.
Hence, it was important to nail this head coach hire. And while we won’t know how good of a head coach Ben Johnson will be until games are played, we should give credit where it’s due to Ryan Poles for landing the plane and making the dream of reeling in the highly touted Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Chicago’s next head coach a reality.
Here’s what Poles had to say about the move (via the Bears’ official website):
“Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben’s character, intelligence, leadership and ability to connect. A progressive offensive mind, Ben’s plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear. Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success.”
BEARS BITS: Ben Johnson Was Always The Guy
That must’ve been one heckuva virtual meeting when Ryan Poles and the powers that be at Halas Hall had Ben Johnson on the line back on Jan. 11. Remember, Johnson didn’t have a second interview with the team and his visit to Halas Hall on Tuesday was his first time in the building. It is clear that the Bears wanted Johnson to be their next coach. But also feels evident that Johnson wanted to coach the Bears.
Ryan Poles shares his thoughts on new Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson
Ryan Poles described Ben Johnson as a “proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation” and if that doesn’t pique your interest, then I do not know what will. This is what Bears fans have been craving for years out of a head coach hire. Innovation and the Chicago Bears have not been synonymous since Buddy Ryan’s 46 defense. And on the offensive side of the ball, it feels as if there hasn’t been much on the innovative side since the T-formation was en vogue. Hopefully, Johnson’s arrival in Chicago truly brings about a golden era of football. And if that happens, Poles needs to do his part.
WATCH: New Bears Head Coach Makes Introductory Speech at Halas Hall
There is one other quote from Bears GM Ryan Poles that stood out to me. Poles says “we are primed, equipped and excited” to welcome Ben Johnson to Chicago and “commence our process of building a championship-caliber team, together.” My read on those words is that this franchise is finally willing, able, and ready to act like a billion-dollar entity instead of a mom-and-pop shop that happens to be worth wads upon wads of cash.
Hiring Ben Johnson feels like an important first step toward legitimizing the Bears as a force to be reckoned with moving forward. But before we get to that point, the team needs to act like it belongs at the high-roller’s table after spending years lingering around the penny slots. Simply put, the Bears need to be as ready to make investments in the team as Ryan Poles makes them out to be with his words. If everyone at Halas Hall can execute, then brighter days will be on the horizon.