Ryan Poles Doubles Down on Bears' Draft Strategy Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

There are two main schools of thought when it comes to the NFL draft: selecting players based on team needs, and selecting the best available player regardless of position. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles falls squarely in that second camp, and he's not ashamed to admit it.

This has caused no small measure of consternation among Bears fans, but I would say that Poles has earned some measure of trust when it comes to the NFL draft, especially after last year. Poles famously selected tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick, despite veteran tight end Cole Kmet still having three years remaining on his four-year, $50 million contract extension. Many fans and analysts lambasted this decision as a wasted pick, and even yours truly called Colston Loveland the wrong pick for the Bears. I'm still working on the plate of crow Poles and Loveland served to me after that hot take.

While speaking with Bears reporters Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns of the Hoge & Jahns podcast, the subject of his draft strategy came up, and Poles laid his cards all on the table just weeks before the 2026 NFL draft, telling Hoge and Jahns, "You look at the draft, when I've been here, we've taken the right mentality and taken the best available... and I think that's paid off for us."

Bears GM Ryan Poles says the team will stay disciplined with their “best player available” draft philosophy even if that means drafting offense over defense:

“You look at the draft, when I’ve been here, we’ve taken the right mentality and taken the best available. That’s been… pic.twitter.com/X8azO4uNxO
— Bearsszn (@bearszn) April 1, 2026

Poles went even further in defending his draft strategy, saying, "We got an All-Pro tackle [Darnell Wright] and Colston [Loveland's] going to be All-Pro tight end. So, we've done some really good things there. It just hasn't lined up to be defensive line... I think the biggest mistake you can make is forcing something just because that's what you need."

While he may be projecting a bit on his prediction for Loveland (though the fact thatLoveland set an NFL record in the Divisional round loss to the Rams leaves little doubt that he'll get there), but the rest of what Poles said is spot on. Reaching in the draft based on positional need and passing up genuinely talented players could lead to disaster. Imagine how different the 2025 season could have gone had Poles passed on Loveland, just because they didn't 'need' a tight end.

The Bears can't afford to miss on their first-round pick

Furthermore, Poles is correct in sticking to his strategy because, despite a breakout 2025 season, the Bears still have a way to go before they can seriously compete for a Super Bowl. That means that they have no margin for error in the draft, and their first-round selection has to be a hit. Reaching on a prospect to fill a need could leave the team with two roster holes instead of one if that less talented player can't live up to expectations.

As aforementioned, imagine if the Bears had passed on Loveland in favor of a positional need, perhaps selecting pass rusher Shemar Stewart. Not only would the Bears have spent a Top 10 pick on an ineffectual pass rusher, but their offense would have been far less dynamic than it actually was. Indeed, the whole season could have very well been another lost cause, considering all the significant, season-defining moments in which Loveland played a part.

Colston Lovelan — David Banks-Imagn Images

The Bottom Line

Most people would say that the Bears' biggest needs are defensive line, safety, and left tackle, and that's why these three position groups appear most often for the Bears in mock drafts around the NFL world. When looking at the prospects, it is indeed likely that the best available player when the Bears are on the board will also fit one of these needs, but don't be surprised if the Bears end up with another receiver or even a linebacker.

Poles is going to draft whoever is the best player left on his board, and I think he's earned the right to ask Bears fans to trust him.

The Bears can't afford to miss on their first-round pick

The Bottom Line

Sign Up For the Bears Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Chicago Bears Newsletter