Chicago Bears Fans Questioning GM Ryan Poles Extension After 0-2 Start To The Season

The Chicago Bears’ 0-2 start to the 2025 season has sent shockwaves through a fanbase that entered the year with playoff aspirations. After a lopsided 52-21 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions, the blame is beginning to shift from the field to the front office. General Manager Ryan Poles, who was recently awarded a contract extension, is now facing intense scrutiny as fans and analysts question his roster construction and draft history.

The decision to extend Poles through 2029 was meant to align his contract with new head coach Ben Johnson, creating stability at the top. Instead, the team’s disastrous start has made that extension a focal point of fan frustration. With a track record of limited success and a promising rookie class that has so far failed to deliver, the pressure on Poles is mounting rapidly.

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles: Questioning the Extension

The timing of Poles’ contract extension, signed in July, now looks questionable at best. The move was framed as a vote of confidence and a commitment to long-term alignment, but it was based on projection rather than proven results. In his tenure as general manager, Poles has a winning percentage of just 28.3%, averaging under five wins per season. For a franchise desperate to return to relevance, these numbers are far from inspiring.

Extending a general manager with a losing record before a pivotal season was a significant gamble by ownership. The expectation was that the 2025 season would be the year the Bears turned the corner and became a legitimate contender. Instead, they have been outscored decisively in their first two games, looking non-competitive against division rivals. The lackluster performance on the field makes the long-term commitment to the architect of the roster a difficult pill for the fanbase to swallow.

A Troubling Draft History

A general manager’s legacy is ultimately defined by their ability to acquire talent through the NFL Draft. While Poles has been praised for accumulating draft capital, his selection history is coming under fire as his picks have failed to make a significant impact. This is most evident with the highly anticipated 2025 draft class, which has been largely invisible or ineffective through two games.

Two of the team’s top draft picks, second-round offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo and second-round defensive lineman Shemar Turner, were designated as healthy scratches for the game against the Lions. In a league where second-round picks are expected to be immediate contributors, having two of them on the sideline due to coach’s decision is a major red flag for asset management and player evaluation.

The rookies who have seen the field have not fared much better.

• Luther Burden: The second-round wide receiver was expected to add a dynamic element to the offense, but he has been a non-factor, recording just two catches for two yards.
• Tyrique Stevenson: The second-round cornerback has been a target for opposing offenses, struggling mightily in coverage and drawing the ire of fans for his performance against the Lions.
• Coston Loveland: The Chicago Bears took the former Michigan tight end over Tyler Warren who has thrived for the Indianapolis Colts through the first two weeks while Loveland has struggled.

This isn’t just a 2025 problem. Poles’ previous draft classes have also produced mixed results, failing to yield the foundational, blue-chip talent needed to elevate the roster. For a team that has been in a rebuilding phase, the lack of immediate impact from its draft picks is a critical failure.

Accountability at the Top

Ryan Poles was handed the keys to the franchise with a mandate to rebuild it from the ground up. He has been given significant draft capital and ample salary cap space to reshape the roster in his image. However, the team on the field does not reflect that investment. The defense, a unit that received a massive infusion of resources, is currently ranked last in the league in points allowed. The offense continues to struggle with consistency, and the special teams have been unreliable.

The on-field product is a direct reflection of the roster, and the responsibility for that roster ultimately falls on the general manager. While injuries have played a role in the team’s early struggles, the fundamental lack of competitiveness and the underwhelming performance of his handpicked talent point to deeper issues.

The Chicago Bears are at a critical juncture. The decision to extend Ryan Poles was a declaration that the organization believed in his vision. After just two games, that vision appears blurred, and the general manager who was supposed to be the solution is now seen by many as part of the problem. Time will tell if he can right the ship, but with each passing loss, the questions about his leadership and his recent extension will only grow louder.