Yahoo Sports Bears GM Ryan Poles ignored warnings about signing Nate Davis
The Chicago Bears are facing some important questions heading into one of the most important offseasons in recent franchise history, including the fate of general manager Ryan Poles.
While president Kevin Warren put his faith behind Poles just two weeks ago, there's been a shift in public and league perception about Poles' job security beyond this season. And there's been some pretty damning information emerging about Poles, including in an in-depth piece by the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer.
Among Poles' biggest misses in his three-year tenure with the Bears was the signing of guard Nate Davis, who inked a three-year, $30 million contract during the 2023 offseason. Davis, who was mostly unavailable or disinterested, was released on Nov. 13.
According to Wiederer, Poles had been warned by in-house coaches, who had worked with Davis with the Tennessee Titans, that he had a reputation for being "apathetic," a bad teammate and lacked the "football passion" that Poles wants from his players. Still, Poles made the move to sign him.
The Bears released Davis last month, a few days after what multiple sources said was a squabble with the coaching staff over his role for the Week 10 game against the New England Patriots. After practicing in full that entire week, Davis reported back tightness to the team medical staff on the morning of the game, was declared out and sent home on a day when offensive line depth was an issue.
That was the final straw for Davis, who had been known around the building for more than a year as an “always something” guy and a poor teammate. It didn’t help that Poles signed Davis despite in-house warnings from the coaching staff that he had a reputation for being apathetic and lacking the kind of football passion Poles normally gravitates toward.
It's just one bad mark among several along the offensive line for Poles in his three-year tenure. Poles' failure in addressing the trenches -- especially with a young quarterback in Caleb Williams -- has been egregious. Right now, right tackle Darnell Wright is the only offensive lineman who is a lock to start next season on a line that has allowed 56 sacks on Williams, most in the NFL, and has the seventh worst rushing attack.
There are plenty of holes to fill along the offensive line this offseason, and there are questions about whether Poles can not only fill those holes, but dedicate the resources needed to solidify the group in front of Williams. Especially when Poles has tried to bargain shop for players at one of the biggest needs for this team.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles ignored warnings about signing Nate Davis
