Ryan Poles' Grand Plan

Bears GM revealed the type of players and team he wants in the franchise's future in an Albert Breer column.

USA Today

DJ Moore's importance in the trade down by the Bears, and the vision Ryan Poles has for the team's future never became as clear as in a column Monday by SI.com's Albert Breer.

While some may focus on the early portion of the story about Justin Fields being "their guy" if they like rehashing things Poles had repeated to the media numerous times in the past, the better part is what Breer reported Poles liked in DJ Moore that reminded him of his Kansas City days.

Poles had a very distinct memory of Moore from college and his early career to make him a player they decided they had to have in the trade as opposed to an extra first-round pick.

"Coming out, I just remember how strong he played," Poles told Breer. "He's an impact player, a receiver that could play inside, outside separating routes. But then he has a level of strength to him that I really admired.

"On top of that, the person was outstanding. He's great for the locker room. He's a worker, grinder, not a lot of noise or distraction, just … he's a dude. That part was important to me. In the pros, just the level of consistency through adversity stood out to me. I always talked about when I took the job and still do."

When Poles said he saw a player consistent through adversity, he was talking about a difficult situation in Carolina at quarterback. They were running a regular revolving door at quarterback.

He also saw a player resilient despite these difficulties and it was here where Poles revealed the type of team he wants in Chicago for the future. He's looking for a team of Moores.

"I think resilience is one of the most underrated traits of a team and of players," Poles told Breer. "If you go back to our KC times, that year we won the Super Bowl, we were down multiple touchdowns in every single game, including the Super Bowl, and the level of resilience was insane.

"I want as many players that have that trait as possible. And for him to be so consistent through different quarterbacks, different coaches, I thought was really cool."

Chicago could sure do with some more resilient players and Poles will get to pick them.

Speaking of which, he also got in a sharp comment regarding his predecessor, Ryan Pace, while talking about making the trade down.

"Obviously, adding (talent) uptick in 2023 was critical, but I also want premium picks, or what could be premium picks in '24 and '25, just to continue to add draft capital down the road.

"That was important, again, just to continue to make up for some of the trades that the organization did before, to try to find a quarterback and continue to add good players in this draft."

It's not a cheap shot if it's entirely true.

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