Falcons look like they’ll have the last laugh over Bears GM Ryan Poles

NFL: NOV 20 Bears at Falcons

You should never throw stones from a glass house. Someone should’ve reminded Ryan Poles of that saying before he laughed at the Falcons after they drafted Michael Penix Jr. If you don’t remember the incident, let me jog your memory.

Granted, a lot of the NFL world was laughing at the Falcons for spending a top 10 draft pick on a quarterback about six weeks after handing Kirk Cousins $180 million in free agency. But Ryan Poles? The Bears? No, they should never be pointing and laughing.

Now, it seems the Falcons, Terry Fontenot, and the fan base will get the final laugh as Chicago continues to falter and Poles’ seat heats up. The Bears are coming off a stunning defeat at the hands of the lowly Patriots. It was a loss in which Caleb Williams was sacked nine times and caused offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to be fired. They now sit at 4-5 and at the bottom of the NFC North, a place they’ve become accustomed to since Poles took over.

Meanwhile, the Falcons sit atop their division and look prime to compete with Kirk Cousins until Michael Penix Jr. is ready to take over. The waters aren’t as smooth in the Windy City.

The Bears offense isn’t just bad; it’s one of the worst in the NFL, despite considerable investment by Poles on that side of the ball. Caleb Williams is surrounded by De’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, but the offensive line has proved too porous to overcome.

Since Matt Eberflus took over in Chicago, the Bears have given up at least six sacks in seven games. That only happened three times from 2013 to 2021. There are two factors at play here, and both fall at the feet of Poles.

First, the offensive line is a glorified turnstile, which he built. Secondly, the coaching staff can’t help Williams operate quickly, which he hired. Now, his job is in question, along with everyone else in Chicago, which has quickly turned into one of the messiest organizations in the league.

Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

 

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