Bears GM makes surprising admission about draft preparation during his first season

Bears general manager Ryan Poles burned the midnight oil during his first season in Chicago. He even started sleeping in his office to prepare for his first draft as a GM.

"That was not healthy doing that last year," Poles said of sleeping in his office, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN. "I don't ever want to go through that again. But it was necessary to get the job done, so a little different approach."

Poles' dedication may seem excessive, especially after the Bears posted the worst record (3-14) in the NFL last season. However, it could pay off, as he made several moves that could set the framework for a successful rebuild.

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bears fortified the O-line, selecting tackle Braxton Jones with the 168th pick. Jones went on to earn a 2022 PFWA All-Rookie team nod. This offseason, Chicago signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds — a two-time Pro Bowler — to a four-year, $72M deal. They also traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, acquiring wide receiver D.J. Moore, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 first-rounder in exchange. The trade with Carolina was imperative, because it could give quarterback Justin Fields the help he needs. Moore crossed the 1,000-receiving-yard mark three times in five seasons with the Panthers.

Additionally, Poles can continue to re-stock the roster with more talent. Chicago can trust him to do this after the Chiefs selected stars such as TE Travis Kelce and QB Patrick Mahomes while he worked in their scouting department from 2010-21. Poles still faces an uphill battle. The Bears haven't won a Super Bowl in 37 years or a playoff game in 12, but Poles is putting Chicago in a position to prosper eventually, so he won't have to sleep in his office again.