The Chicago Bears have hired Ryan Poles, 36, as their next general manager, a press release stated.
Poles has spent the last 13 seasons working with the Kansas City Chiefs as a player personnel assistant (2009), college scouting administrator (2010-12), college scouting coordinator (2013-16), director of college scouting (2017), assistant director of player personnel (2018-20) and executive director of player personnel (2021).
The Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Jan. 30, in the NFL championship game for the right to go to the Super Bowl.
In each of the past six seasons, Kansas City has captured the AFC West Division title and recorded double-digit victories, winning two conference championships and one Super Bowl to cap the 2019 season. This season, six Kansas City players were voted to the Pro Bowl: Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, receiver Tyreek Hill, left tackle Orlando Brown, defensive tackle Chris Jones and safety Tyrann Mathieu.
"I am extremely grateful to [Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey], the McCaskey family and the rest of the Bears organization for this opportunity," Poles said. "The Chicago Bears are one of the flagship franchises in the National Football League and are recognized as one of the most prestigious clubs in all of sports. It's an honor for me to join such a well-regarded organization."