Did the Bears GM Fix the Offensive Line to Save His Job?
The Chicago Bears underwent a complete overhaul of the offensive line this past offseason, and the results were immediate. The moves led to offensive lineman Joe Thuney winning the first-ever Protector of the Year award. Chicago finished the season as a top-three offensive line unit, with Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman playing key roles. All three linemen were acquired during the offseason by general manager Ryan Poles, who finally reshaped a position group that had struggled to produce consistent success under his tenure. With the 2025-26 season now complete, questions remain as to whether these moves were enough to secure Poles’ job moving forward.
Chicago’s offensive line has rarely been a strength throughout the franchise’s history. Poles demonstrated his ability to address long-standing weaknesses by prioritizing protection up front. The improved blocking allowed quarterback Caleb Williams to approach 4,000 passing yards, a milestone that would have marked a first in Bears history. Williams’ confidence was noticeably higher than during his rookie season, a development largely credited to the improved protection in front of him. Many Bears fans didn’t expect the offensive line to make such a fast impact, but it was a pleasant surprise that led to a fantastic season. While it may have helped Poles save his job, he is now expected to fill more positions this offseason.
The defensive line is now the main issue for Chicago this offseason. They’ve been unable to get a consistent number of sacks and get to the quarterback. Alongside this position group are the Bears linebackers, who are losing some key members. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will be a massive loss for Chicago next year, so Poles being able to find replacements will be vital to sustaining his success in fixing positions. Poles also isn’t known to land big splash players in the offseason through trades, but is expected, however, to pick up someone like defensive end Maxx Crosby. The defensive end market appears favorable, offering Chicago a realistic path to improvement. Poles enters the offseason under increased scrutiny, yet his recent success has begun to reshape perceptions of his tenure as general manager.
