Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
On the eve of the Bears’ 2024 season, general manager Ryan Poles wasn’t just happy with the roster improvements he had made, he was proud of them.
“I’m proud of the process that we’ve set up,” Poles said. “It’s not just about acquiring the best talent, it’s about acquiring the right talent. I think that’s what you see in this building. It’s special. The group of guys — it’s really special.”
One 5-12 season later, Poles had to acknowledge the harsh reality that his roster loaded with the right people was part of the problem almost as much as the solution.