Reports: Chicago Bears set to hire new general manager

A new era has arrived in Chicago.

The Bears are hiring Kansas City Chiefs executive Ryan Poles as their new general manager, according to multiple reports. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Poles has accepted the position.

The news comes the same day a video surfaced of Bears chairman George H. McCaskey apparently picking Poles up at O’Hare Airport Monday night. It concludes an exhaustive search by the Bears, who interviewed upward of 13 general manager candidates.

Poles — who signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2008 — started with the Chiefs in 2009. He played college football at Boston College and worked his way up from a Chiefs player personnel assistant to a highly regarded director of player personnel.

He’ll replace Ryan Pace, who was fired earlier this month after seven years as the Bears’ general manager. The immediate focus turns to Chicago’s coaching search, which involves Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as a reported finalist.

Chicago Bears requested second interview with Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn may be the hottest name in NFL head coaching searches — and while the Chicago Bears have a lengthy list of candidates — it looks like the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator has a legitimate chance of winding up in the Windy City.

The Bears requested a second interview with Quinn this week, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Chicago also requested another interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Quinn’s name has come up quite a bit in NFL head coaching circles this year. He also has an interview with the New York Giants.

At this point, it’s almost certain the former Atlanta Falcons’ headman will be leading another NFL team in 2022.

More on Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys

Furthermore, other NFL franchises are interested in hiring a possible replacement for Dan Quinn. As teams look to find the next star coordinators, Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt is gaining interest. According to Steve Wyche of NFL Network, the Cowboys assistant is sought-after for defensive coordinator jobs.

“The Ravens have put in an interview request with Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt for their vacant defensive coordinator position, according to a source with knowledge of the situation,” tweeted Wyche. “Seattle also requested to interview Whitt for the open DC job.”

Both the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks moved on from their defensive coordinators this offseason. First, the Ravens shocking moved on from Don “Wink” Martindale. Then, the Seahawks decided to fire Ken Norton Jr. from their position.

With Quinn receiving a multitude of interview requests, perhaps Whitt could step in as the Cowboys defensive coordinator if his superior receives a gig. Either way, it looks like Joe Whitt will have plenty of options to consider this offseason