Episode Details

Ryan Poles officially kicked off the Chicago Bears 2026 offseason with his end-of-year press conference, and he didn’t dodge the tough questions. 🧠🐻⬇️ In this episode of Chicago Bears Central, Haize breaks down everything Poles revealed about the Bears’ future — from key contract decisions, to major injury updates, to front office movement that could impact Chicago’s long-term success.

🔐 Kevin Byard vs. Jaquan Brisker

Poles made it clear he’d love to bring back veteran safety Kevin Byard after an All-Pro caliber season that included 7 interceptions, team leadership, and durability. Meanwhile, Jaquan Brisker’s future remains uncertain despite his strong 2025 bounce-back season and dominant playoff performance. Is health the deciding factor? And can the Bears realistically keep both with cap limitations? 🤔💰

🚑 Injury Updates That Matter for 2026

Poles also provided key updates on several important Bears players:

• Jaylon Johnson (groin + wrist)
• Ozzy Trapilo (torn patellar tendon, surgery confirmed ⏳)
• T.J. Edwards (fractured fibula)
• Noah Sewell (Achilles)
• Plus updates on depth pieces like Terell Smith, Zah Frazier, Shemar Turner, and more

How these recoveries shape free agency, the draft, and the offensive line plans is critical for Chicago moving forward.

🏗️ Cap Space, Draft & Front Office Moves

With the Bears projected to be $4.3M over the 2026 salary cap, Poles must juggle restructures, potential cuts, and draft strategy — all while keeping the roster competitive. We also discuss:

• Important offseason dates 📅
• The Falcons requesting to interview Ian Cunningham 👀
• Why Ben Johnson’s “back to square one” mindset may be exactly what the Bears need

🔥 This offseason isn’t about rebuilding anymore — it’s about sustaining a contender.

So the real question is… do the Bears double down, or do tough decisions reshape the roster?

🎧 Tune in, join the discussion, and let your voice be heard.

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🐻⬇️ Chi Town Up. Bear Down.

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