Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles and new Head Coach Ben Johnson meet the media at the start of the new year.
The 2025 NFL League Year officially opened up at 4 pm ET today, Wednesday, March 12th, and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles and his new Head Coach Ben Johnson met with the media for the first time following some key roster moves.
“Opportunistic” is a word many have used when describing the flurry of moves that Bears’ GM Ryan Poles made, and it was a word that he used himself on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the Bears traded for All-Pro Guard Joe Thuney and Pro Bowl Guard Jonah Jackson before signing Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Grady Jarrett. Coach Johnson confirmed that Joe Thuney will play LG, while Jonah Jackson will play RG.
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Ryan Poles highlighted how a variety of factors play into Free Agency and who a team ends up with: salary cap, player preferences, scheme fit, etc. When it came to swinging for some trades this week, Poles credited connection points with each player contributing to their acquisition. Poles himself was with Kansas City when the Chiefs acquired Joe Thuney. Ben Johnson coached Jonah Jackson in Detroit. Matt Ryan, Poles’ former teammate, referenced Jarrett as “special” and “different.”
Coach Johnson is looking for such individuals on the offensive line.
“Tough, gritty, dirty individuals,” Johnson said. “Smart players with versatility and multiplicity. Guys that can handle a variety of different concepts and schemes we’ll want to run every week. Character and integrity are top notch with them.”
Coach Johnson highlighted intelligence multiple times when describing what he is looking for in an offensive lineman. He also mentioned how he will “push this thing as far as the collective group can handle. If they get really good about certain types of blocks, that’s what we will feature. They (the players) need to win 1 on 1 battles with the 3 technique,” and that’s what he and Poles expect from both new guards.
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Coach Johnson also spoke of his time as offensive coordinator and having to gameplan against new DT Grady Jarrett. He said that he is a player who will leave you with bruises because of how tough and physical he plays the game.
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Sounds like both Poles and Coach Johnson feel very confident in the players added and their approach to Free Agency. When it comes to the draft, Poles said he feels “this opens the whole board up for us in the draft to do the best thing for the Chicago Bears and draft the best player to make the biggest impact.”
Who that player is or what position he plays is a question for another time.
For now, Chicago has seemingly turned its weakest position groups (interior OL and DL) into positions of strength.
What were some of your takeaways listening to Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson and the newest Chicago Bears?