Episode Details

On this week's episode of The Chicago Bears Podcast, Pat The Designer and Jason McKie dig into the latest NFL power rankings—and what they reveal about GM Ryan Poles and his roster-building strategy. They start with a critical look at Poles' track record in landing blue-chip talent, highlighting key misses from past drafts and trades. Despite praise for his aggressive moves, there’s a growing sentiment that the foundational talent isn’t there yet. Still, many believe these players need time to develop under new HC Ben Johnson. Next, they shift to Poles' offseason adjustments, including shoring up the offensive line and bringing veteran leadership to the locker room. The question looms: Will these moves finally translate to on-field improvement? The conversation heats up around rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who faces pressure in a comparison to Brock Bowers after impressive college tape and a top-10 draft slot. With expectations sky-high, Chicago's offensive future could hinge on his development. Finally, they wrap up with a light-hearted segment, naming their Dawgs of the Week—spotlighting standout performances and who’s trending in a positive direction. Tune in for an honest, data-driven dissection of where the Bears stand and what could define their season—line-by-line, pick-by-pick. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Poles' blue-chip misses & draft regrets 00:08:00 – Development under Ben Johnson's system 00:14:00 – Offensive line upgrades & locker room leadership 00:23:00 – Colston Loveland’s pressure & expectations 00:35:00 – Dawgs of the Week recognition Tags: #ChicagoBears #RyanPoles #BenJohnson #ColstonLoveland #NFLDraft #BearsPodcast #NFL2025