George McCaskey doesn't believe Ryan Poles' future will impact next coach

In the Chicago Bears search for their next head coach, the long term status of general manager Ryan Poles doesn't seem to be too much of a concern for his bosses.

As the Chicago Bears conduct their search for a new head coach, the long-term status of general manager Ryan Poles is a lingering question that will likely be a discussion in interviews.

On Tuesday, Poles, along with president Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey, spoke to the media following the 2024 season. Outside of the coaching search, Poles' future was one of the most-discussed talking points.

Since becoming general manager in 2022, Poles has not had his contract detailed in the public, but a recent report from The Athletic stated that his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. Going into this search for the team's next head coach, the common belief is that a new incoming coach would want organizational alignment with the GM who hires them, to stick together moving forward.

When asked that exact question, about whether Poles' future will be a factor for the new coach, McCaskey said he doesn't believe that will play a role at all.

"I don't think so," McCaskey said. "In the interviews that I have participated in, that has never been a factor. No one has ever come in and said I'm not going to come here unless the general manager and I are on the same timeline. So I don't think that's going to be a factor."

In his tenure since being named chairman in 2011, McCaskey has gone on to hire five head coaches, including interim head coach Thomas Brown this season, while also hiring four different general managers in that time. The consistency and durability, ultimately team success, has not been there for either GM or head coach.

The status of Poles' contract will be one to monitor throughout the 2025 season, and it will undoubtedly hinge on the team success next year.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: George McCaskey doesn't believe Ryan Poles' future will impact next HC