Bears GM Ryan Poles on trusting Ben Johnson during draft process

TL;DR

Bears GM Ryan Poles expresses strong trust in head coach Ben Johnson during the draft process, highlighting their successful rookie selections. Key picks include tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III, showcasing Johnson's influence.

Key points

Bears GM Ryan Poles trusts head coach Ben Johnson.
Johnson influenced key rookie selections.
Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III were notable picks.
Poles supports Johnson's judgment in the 2026 draft.
Logan Jones, Sam Roush, and Zavion Thomas were also selected.

Mentioned in this story

Ryan PolesBen Johnson

Chicago BearsColston LovelandLuther Burden IIILogan Jones

Bears GM Ryan Poles on trusting Ben Johnson during draft process

When the Chicago Bears hired head coach Ben Johnson, they were putting a lot of trust in him to right the ship and get the franchise back on the winning track. He managed to accomplish that in just one season, so it's no surprise that he's garnered immense trust from general manager Ryan Poles.

Looking at the Bears' most impactful rookies from last season, tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III, those selections had Johnson's fingerprints all over them. Many questioned Chicago for drafting Loveland at 10th overall, and others wondered why they selected Burden when receiver was far from a big need. But Johnson knew exactly what he was doing.

While it's too early to gauge the impact of this 2026 rookie class, there are some selections where it's clear that Poles trusted Johnson's judgement, notably on offense with second-round center Logan Jones, as well as tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas, both selected in the third round.

2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)

2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones

Q&A

What role did Ben Johnson play in the Bears' draft decisions?

Ben Johnson significantly influenced the Bears' draft decisions, particularly in selecting key rookies like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III.

Who are the notable rookies from the Bears' last draft?

The notable rookies from the Bears' last draft include tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.

How did Ryan Poles describe his trust in Ben Johnson?

Ryan Poles described his trust in Ben Johnson as immense, especially after Johnson's successful first season as head coach.

Which players did the Bears draft in the 2026 class that Poles trusted Johnson's judgment on?

In the 2026 draft class, Poles trusted Johnson's judgment on second-round center Logan Jones and third-round picks tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas.