Stepping into a general manager role in the NFL is never easy. Especially when you’re only 37 years old. Often times, new general managers are faced with a lot of challenges early. Most of this is due to the team’s lack of roster talent and management, which is why the previous GM was fired.
This holds true for new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Coming into office, Poles had to fix a boatload of issues, and fast. As a whole, Poles looks like he has done a pretty decent job, considering the circumstances. Bringing in Equanimeous St. Brown and drafting Jaquon Brisker, Braxton Jones, and Dominique Robinson were some of his best moves.
Ryan Poles knew there was work to be done when he first took the Chicago Bears job, but has he done enough to set this team up for the future?
However, some of the gaping holes (most notably WR and OL) that were a must fix during the offseason, weren’t dealt with as well as they could be. We are only a few weeks into the 2022 season, but looking back, there were more than a few questionable decisions made by Poles in his first off-season. Here are a few of them.
Velus Jones Jr.
Ryan Poles had a pretty solid draft as a whole but drafting Velus Jones Jr. in the 3rd round, is one he probably wishes he could take back. From the second Jones was drafted, there was concern about the pick.
For starters, Jones is already 25 years old, making him one of the oldest rookies selected in this past daft. His age really wouldn’t be that big of a deal, if he was able to step in and produce right away.
However, Jones has been nurturing a hamstring injury and missed three out of the first four games of his rookie season. On top of that, in his first career game, Jones muffed a punt, which ultimately ended any chance of a Bears win week 4.
To add insult to injury, Jones also played 0% of offensive snaps, in an offense that has been struggling to get production from its receivers.
This selection looks even worse for Poles and the Bears, considering Jones was selected just one spot in front of Abraham Lucas, a promising young tackle for the Seattle Seahawks.
There is still time this season for Jones to rebound and make an impact, but as of right now, this looks like a waste of a third-round selection.
Byron Pringle
Bryon Pringle was brought in through free agency on a relatively cheap deal. With Pringle having had some success as a chain mover in Kansas City, Poles thought that he would bring a much-needed spark to a Bears offense that was very much lacking receiving weapons.
Unfortunately, Pringle only has two catches in three games to start the season. He also received a surprisingly low number of snaps over the first three weeks, never playing over 34% of offensive plays.
Currently, Pringle is dealing with a calf injury that now has him on injured reserve. The earliest Pringle will be eligible to return will be Oct. 30th when the Bears travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.
Kyler Gordon
Ryan Poles looked to have hit some gems in the later rounds of the draft, but a few of his early picks look to be flops. With your young franchise quarterback in desperate need of weapons and protection, you can’t go defense with your first two picks.
Safety Jaquan Brisker has had a solid start to the season, but the Bears other second round pick Kyler Gordon has been far from comfortable.
According to PFF, Gordon has allowed 20 catches and two touchdowns on only 27 targets. It has gotten so bad that some fans and analysts believe that the rookie corner should be benched after just four career games.
I believe there is still time for the young cornerback to improve. Either way, this looks to be another poor pick by Ryan Poles, especially given the offensive situation.
