Latest news with #RyanPoles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaylon Johnson among 4 Chicago Bears on the non-football injury list as training camp nears
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson was one of four Chicago Bears players placed on the non-football injury list Saturday afternoon, a surprise twist as the team readies for training camp. Other Bears given the NFI designation were backup quarterback Case Keenum, second-year running back Ian Wheeler and receiver Jahdae Walker, an undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M. Johnson, the team's top cornerback, was by far the most significant name on the list with no immediate clarity on the specifics of his ailment. Quarterbacks and rookies began checking in to Halas Hall on Saturday for training camp with the full team's reporting date coming Tuesday. The Bears' first practice is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Players with NFI status — designated as such due to an injury or illness that occurred away from official team activity — are ineligible to practice until cleared but still count against a team's 90-man roster limit. Players who remain on the NFI list after the league's final cutdown day at the end of the preseason are required to miss a minimum of four games. Johnson, who signed a four-year, $76 million extension during the 2024 offseason, was not present for the entirety of the team's mandatory minicamp last month, with Bears coach Ben Johnson acknowledging his absence as 'excused.' (Jaylon Johnson's charity golf tournament was taking place that week in California.) Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles are scheduled to address the media Tuesday afternoon at Halas Hall. The team already has a short list of significant players with injuries that might affect their availability for the start of camp, including Braxton Jones (ankle), Colston Loveland (shoulder) and Luther Burden III (undisclosed). Jaylon Johnson's status will be worth monitoring as the team marches into Ben Johnson's first camp as coach with designs on becoming a playoff contender this season.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Amedgadjie, Trapilo Look To Take Over As The Bears' Left Tackle
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Braxton Jones #70 of the Chicago Bears reacts after an apparent ... More injury against the Detroit Lionsduring the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) Braxton Jones was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 draft after spending his college career with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, who play in the Big Sky Conference. He would have been a success if he started one NFL game but somehow enters his fourth season having been a full-time starter since his arrival. Yet it seems nobody except the forensic analysts who break down game films has ever truly bought into his ability to protect a quarterback's blind side. After all, how solid can any of the linemen be given the collapsing pockets in front of Caleb Williams and Justin Fields? To make matters more precarious for Jones, the 310-pound tackle broke his left fibula in gruesome fashion last December, forcing him to be carted off at Soldier Field. He's first going to have to show he's healthy when training camp begins, then win back his position. A three- or possibly four-headed battle for the No. 1 left tackle's job is among the intriguing storylines that will play out in three exhibition games and shared practices where they will scrimmage with the Dolphins and Bills. General Manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson overhauled the interior of the offensive line in March by importing Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman and used a second-round pick to select a versatile lineman, the 6-8 Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College. It's notable they didn't target the tackle spot more significantly. That's a sign they haven't given up on Jones' ability to line up opposite right tackle Darnell Wright, a 2023 first-rounder entering his third season. Jones has consistently received solid grades from Pro Football Focus. He ranked 21st among 81 qualifying tackles in his 12 games last season after ranking 19th as a rookie and 31st in 2023. His 80.8 pass-blocking grade in '24 was a career high. PFF reports he allowed a pressure on a career-low 6.4 percent of pass plays. The massive Wright (6-6, 330) was a four-year starter at Tennessee and played more than 1,000 snaps in both of his NFL seasons, missing only one game to injury. He made a notable step forward toward future Pro Bowl consideration in 2024. PFF graded him 16th among 81 qualifying tackles after ranking him 52nd as a rookie. But Wright's best trait was run-blocking, which may be why he isn't immediately being viewed as competition for Jones at left tackle. With Jones not yet cleared to practice, Johnson and Poles gave both second-year tackle Kiran Amegadjie and Trapilo first-team reps at left tackle this spring. . There's a clear battle between the two to see who becomes the leading alternate if Jones can't reclaim his spot. Amegadjie is listed as 6-5, 326 pounds. He played at Yale, where his junior season was ended early due to surgery to repair a torn tendon in his quad, and was viewed as a project when Poles selected him in the third round of the 2024 draft. Amegadjie played only a total of 125 snaps in six games last season but has impressed with his off-season work. He seems like a reach as a starter, as PFF ranked him 125th among 130 tackles last season. Trapilo started at left tackle for Boston College in 2022 but moved to right tackle for his final two seasons. He could be an ideal depth piece on both sides of the line but Johnson is giving him a chance to start at left tackle. 'The cool thing to see is Ozzy, for a guy that's a young player, he's really polished in terms of the mental aspect of the game,' Johnson told reporters during OTAs. 'We're looking to key up some things, quicken up his steps, his identification process, and Kiran's done a nice job for the little bit we're had him as well.'' Johnson says he's 'pretty comfortable' keeping Wright on the right side of the line. But if he and his line coaches believe Trapilo has a better chance to succeed on that side they could experiment with Wright on the left side. 'To me, the No. 1 job of an offensive tackle — doesn't matter right or left — is to pass protect,' Johnson said. 'You need to be able to block their best pass rusher one-on-one … We've got to find out who the best pass protector is, the most consistent pass protector, and really that's for all five guys up front.' Motivation won't be a problem for Jones when he is cleared to return. He's been a high-motor player since his days at Southern Utah, and that doesn't figure to change with him positioned for a lucrative long-term contract if he can retain his position in an upgraded line. There will be higher-profile position battles in other camps but much of the focus in Chicago is on what's happening at left tackle. Jones will get first dibs when he returns but the Bears look positioned to move forward if he doesn't look like himself when he gets back on the field.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NFL Trade: Chicago Bears extend Ryan Poles' contract through 2029 , establishing long-term leadership with Ben Johnson
Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson (via Getty Images) The Chicago Bears have agreed to a contract extension with general manager Ryan Poles through 2029, formally enrolling him alongside new head coach Ben Johnson as the organization attempts to build a consistent winner around quarterback Caleb Williams. The move underscores the team's commitment to long-term stability after decades of chaos. Only months after signing former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a five-year head coaching contract, the Chicago Bears have guaranteed that general manager Ryan Poles will be in sync with Ben Johnson through the 2029 season. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson set to lead Chicago Bears rebuild through 2029 The two-year extension to Ryan Poles' former contract sets up a coordinated leadership timeline in what the organization envisions as the start of a new era of competitiveness. Ryan Poles first came aboard the Chicago Bears as GM in January 2022 and has presided over a complete roster transformation. His time spans the famous trade with the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 offseason that acquired the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, used to select quarterback Caleb Williams. That same trade brought a plethora of building blocks, including DJ Moore, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Tory Taylor, and Luther Burden III. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ED May Become A Thing Of The Past For Senior Men Men's Health Learn More Undo In spite of 2024 woes, the Chicago Bears double down on Poles' long-term vision. The 2024 season was a disappointment by most yardsticks. The Chicago Bears went 5-12, dismissed its head coach midseason for the first time in decades, and had the NFL's poorest offense in total yards. But the addition of Ben Johnson, who led the league's highest-scoring offense with the Detroit Lions in 2024, has injected hope. 🚨BREAKING: Chicago Bears Extend Ryan Poles | Bears News Ryan Poles countered by stocking the roster for a turnaround: he made a trade for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, signed former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman, and reconnected Johnson with former Lions guard Jonah Jackson to strengthen the interior offensive line. Further, the Bears assembled a solid coaching staff, hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as running backs coach. From undrafted lineman to architect of the Bears' future Ryan Poles' ascension in the NFL came after he went unsigned in 2008, temporarily signing with the Bears as an offensive lineman. Although his on-field career never emerged, Poles moved swiftly to scouting and personnel work, most famously with the Kansas City Chiefs between 2009 and 2021. There, he worked his way up to become executive director of player personnel before joining Chicago. Ryan Poles now has a 15-36 record as GM, but the franchise's faith in his vision remains unwavering. Also read: NFL affiliation lifts American football in France, says French Federation President Frederic Paquet By extending Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson through 2029, the Chicago Bears are wagering on stability, synergy, and long-term development. With foundational talent in place and a new coaching identity, the Bears are setting themselves up to emerge from rebuilding mode and into playoff contention in the years ahead. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Success Of Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson Is Tied To Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, right, speaks as head coach Ben Johnson, left, listens ... More before introducing new players Drew Dalman and Dayo Odeyingbo at Halas Hall on March 13, 2025, in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Patience has indeed proven to be a virtue with Ryan Poles, the Chicago Bears' fourth-year general manager. He was hired for a four-year term in 2022 and is being rewarded with a contract extension that runs through 2029. This gives Poles an eight-year commitment from Bears ownership and president Kevin Warren despite his having produced a 15-36 record in his first two seasons. His predecessor, Ryan Pace, had a 48-65 record over seven seasons, including a 22-27 mark in his final three. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Friday Poles is receiving an extension that gives him the same timing on his deal as head coach Ben Johnson, who Poles hired in January after making Matt Eberflus the Bears' first-ever coach fired in midseason. Poles had hired Eberflus on his third day on the job after inheriting a coaching search that had been run at the same time Chairman George McCaskey was searching for a new GM to replace Pace. It was a dubious process that did little other than to allow the Bears to assemble talent through the draft in the Eberflus years, biding their time in hope of becoming relevant again. That time arrives in 2025, with the Bears hoping for at least a winning season in the deep NFC North. The success of quarterback Caleb Williams, who was taken with the first overall pick in the '24 draft, is critical for both Poles and Johnson, who chose to sign with Chicago after earning respect while building an explosive offense behind Jared Goff in Detroit. Poles has proven to be a skilled negotiator in seemingly upgrading the roster. He rebuilt the offensive line after Williams was sacked 68 times in his rookie season, adding Chiefs All-Pro guard Joe Thuney at the cost of only a fourth-round pick while also signing free agent center Drew Dalman and trading for guard Jonah Jackson. His signature move was the trading of the first overall pick to Carolina in '23, which at the time committed a third season to struggling quarterback Justin Fields, whom Poles had inherited from Pace. Rather than draft Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, he took wide receiver D.J. Moore and a package of draft pick to allow the Panthers to move from ninth to first overall. Poles turned those picks into Williams, tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor and wide receiver Luther Burden III. "Yeah, I feel pretty good," Poles said after selecting Burden in the second round last April. 'I think it's worked out for us.' The moves have certainly worked well for Poles, who had worked in the Chiefs' front office before being hired by McCaskey. The hope is they also work out for the franchise and its fans. Leila Rahimi, the insightful talk show host for WSCR, summed up the feeling in Chicago nicely. 'You just got paid for winning an offseason, not a season,' Rahimi said. 'I want to see a season.'
Al Arabiya
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Bears and general manager ryan poles agree to contract extension through 2029, according to reports
The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles have agreed to a contract extension through the 2029 season, multiple media outlets reported on Friday. The Bears are coming off a last-place finish in the NFC North. They are 15-36 in three years under Poles and have two double-digit losing streaks during his tenure. The Bears lost their final 10 games in 2022 while in a teardown mode as part of a franchise-worst 14-game slide and dropped 10 in a row in 2024 before closing the season with a win at Green Bay. They fired Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, a day after he mismanaged the clock at the end of a 23-20 loss at Detroit. Poles' biggest move as Chicago's general manager was when he traded the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft to Carolina for receiver DJ Moore and the Panthers' first-rounder in 2024. They used it to take quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. Williams' arrival helped spark a surge in optimism around Chicago a year ago. The Bears instead wound up being one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL. But they once again believe they are in position to start winning after another busy offseason. Poles made a huge splash when he hired coach Ben Johnson, the most sought-after candidate on the market after spending the past three seasons as the Lions' offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell. He joined Detroit's staff in 2019 following a seven-year run as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins. The Bears are banking on his creativity and attention to detail to help Williams, a former Heisman Trophy winner, develop into a franchise quarterback. Hiring Johnson wasn't the only big move by Poles. The Bears acquired two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from Kansas City and signed him to a two-year 35 million contract extension. They also acquired guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams, signed center Drew Dalman, and drafted Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round in an effort to protect Williams, who was sacked a franchise-record and league-leading 68 times. Poles didn't ignore the defense. The Bears added two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo. They also retained two key players by extending cornerback Kyler Gordon through 2028 and linebacker T.J. Edwards through 2027.
