Matt Eberflus appears to be on his way out as the Chicago Bears’ head coach. Unless a miraculous turnaround occurs during one of the NFL’s toughest remaining schedules, Eberflus is expected to lose his job after the 2024 season. Over two and a half years, his tenure has been marked by just 14 wins, lackluster offensive performances, blown opportunities in winnable games, and significant staff turnover, with eight assistants either fired or lost. While his defense has shown promise, it’s not enough to salvage his position.
The bigger question surrounds general manager Ryan Poles. Despite some notable successes, his performance has been a mixed bag. Poles’ trade with the Carolina Panthers, which brought in key players like D.J. Moore, Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, and Tyrique Stevenson, is shaping up to be one of the best in franchise history. However, there have been significant setbacks, including the failed acquisition of Chase Claypool, questionable signings like Nate Davis, and the ongoing struggles of the offensive line. Additionally, Poles’ decision to hire Eberflus reflects poorly on his judgment. Despite these issues, some speculate he might be retained, much like Ryan Pace was after his initial struggles.
However, a recent report from insider Josina Anderson suggests Poles may not be as secure as previously thought.
Poles’ Future Could Be in Doubt
According to Anderson, as many as five general managers could lose their jobs in the next two months. Predicting who these GMs might be is relatively straightforward. Joe Douglas of the New York Jets seems to be a near-certain candidate, as the team has made little progress since his hiring in 2019. Trent Baalke of the Jacksonville Jaguars is another strong possibility, with his team struggling at 2-8 after missing the playoffs last year. Joe Schoen of the New York Giants and Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts are also likely on the chopping block. Schoen is under fire for sticking with Daniel Jones while allowing Saquon Barkley to leave and for the Giants’ dismal 2-8 record. Ballard faces criticism for the Colts’ playoff drought and quarterback Anthony Richardson’s struggles.
That leaves one spot unaccounted for, and Ryan Poles could be the name that fits. With no winning seasons or playoff appearances in three years, a questionable head coach hire, and an inability to foster a stable environment for the team’s young quarterback, Poles’ shortcomings are becoming harder to overlook. If the negatives continue to overshadow his achievements, his position may not survive the scrutiny.
