Why Ryan Poles May Not Be As Against Tanking As You Think
Ryan Poles hasn’t changed his statements from the moment he took over. The Chicago Bears are focused on winning football games. It’s only natural for a GM to say that. Yet what he’s done with the roster over the past few months suggests a different plan in mind. Some people call it a reboot. Others call it tanking. There is no denying the fact that Poles has gutted much of the roster since the spring, unloading several key veterans in exchange for draft picks and cap space. If he were focused on winning, it’s unlikely he would have gone to such extensive lengths.
Khalil Mack, James Daniels, Akiem Hicks, Robert Quinn, Allen Robinson, and Roquan Smith were traded or allowed to leave as free agents. He didn’t spend much in free agency and focused on adding a bunch of rookies via the draft. That doesn’t speak to a GM trying hard to win. At least not now. In fairness, he did trade for Chase Claypool to help the passing game. Still, the overall state of the roster hints at a guy more interested in a premium draft position next year vs. a wild card playoff berth this year.
There is one reason to think he’s open to this idea too.
That is his right-hand man, assistant GM Ian Cunningham. Before joining the Bears this off-season, he was a key member of the Philadelphia Eagles front office. The same one that infamously embraced throwing a football game in the 2020 season finale against Washington. Despite the game being close, the Eagles replaced starting quarterback Jalen Hurts with backup Nate Sudfeld. This came after Hurts scored two rushing touchdowns to give Philadelphia the lead. Washington came back to win 20-14, handing the Eagles the 6th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Eagles traded that No. 6 pick to Miami for the No. 12 pick. In that deal, the Eagles swapped their fifth-round pick for Miami’s fourth-round pick. They also got the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 2022. With the added flexibility, Philadelphia was able to deal one of their two 1st rounders for wide receiver A.J. Brown from Tennessee. He’s been a primary reason the team is 9-1 and leading the NFC this year. Cunningham saw the benefits of tanking first-hand. His opinion on it may differ from others in the mainstream media.
Ryan Poles is in a perfect position.
Unlike the Eagles, nobody can outright accuse him of tanking. The trading of Quinn and Smith made sense last month for contract reasons. It will also be considered logical when he and head coach Matt Eberflus decide to sit Justin Fields against the New York Jets on Sunday. The quarterback is nursing an injured left shoulder. While he might be pushing to play, it’s the responsibility of the GM to protect his players from themselves. Throwing Fields out there against a tough Jets defense with one functional arm isn’t advisable.
Not when your team is 3-8 and out of the playoff race.
The fact sitting Fields likely robs Chicago of any hope of winning is a mere coincidence. The team currently holds the #3 overall pick in next year’s draft. Another loss drops them to 3-9, putting them in great position to at least stay in the top five. Their remaining schedule features Green Bay, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Detroit, and Minnesota. There is a strong possibility they might not win another game. Ryan Poles may not like losing, but as a scout at heart, he is likely thrilled at the prospect of getting such a high pick.