Ryan Poles
Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears, a front office veteran known for orchestrating one of the most ambitious roster and culture rebuilds in NFL history.
Ryan Poles Booking & Availability
Fees, availability and booking details for corporate events, appearances and live programs.
How do I book Ryan Poles for a corporate event?
Use the Check Availability form above to send your proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. The Mollie Plotkin Group will follow up with availability and next steps.
What is Ryan Poles’s booking fee?
Ryan Poles’s current booking fee starts at $75,000. Final pricing can vary by date, location, event format and scope of the appearance.
Is Ryan Poles available for my event date?
Submit your proposed date and event details and the Mollie Plotkin Group will confirm current availability.
Who is Ryan Poles’s booking agent?
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about booking Ryan Poles.
What types of events can Ryan Poles be booked for?
Corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events and virtual programs may be available depending on the engagement.
Ryan Poles Fireside Chats & Discussion Themes
Ryan Poles is available for fireside chats and moderated conversations on business, culture creation, leadership and the NFL.
A Fireside Chat with Ryan Poles
Ryan Poles is a dynamic speaker who draws on his experience building NFL rosters, navigating leadership transitions, and leading teams through massive cultural overhauls. He is best experienced in a fireside chat format—an open, conversational setting where audiences can engage with one of the NFL’s most forward-thinking executives. With more than 15 years of front office experience and a track record of bold, culture-driven moves, Poles offers candid insights into leadership, talent development, and building resilient teams—on and off the field.
Popular Fireside Chat Topics Include:
- Building Culture From the Ground Up: What it takes to change identity at scale—inside or outside of sports.
- The Leadership Evolution: Poles’ journey from undrafted free agent to NFL general manager—and the lessons learned along the way.
- Talent Evaluation in High-Stakes Environments: Draft-day decisions, scouting philosophy, and finding the “it” factor.
- The Hidden Game: Communication, collaboration, and the front office’s role in organizational culture and success.
Ryan Poles Biography & Credentials
Ryan Poles has become one of the most closely watched general managers in professional football—and for good reason. Since taking over as GM of the Chicago Bears in 2022, Poles has led a full-scale transformation of the team’s roster and organizational identity. With over 15 years of front office experience, including a championship run with the Kansas City Chiefs, Poles brings a forward-thinking, player-first approach to leadership, culture building, and sustainable success. He is also well-known for his fireside chats and keynote speaking. Ryan Poles is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Ryan Poles’ fees.
Want to book Ryan Poles for an event?
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at (215) 995-0905 to book Ryan Poles for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field. So whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
From the Trenches to the Front Office
Before he reshaped the Bears, Ryan Poles learned football from the inside out—first as an offensive lineman at Boston College protecting quarterback Matt Ryan, then as an undrafted free agent signed by the Bears in 2008. After a brief stint on the field, he shifted to the executive track, beginning his front office career at Boston College before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Over 13 years with the Chiefs, he rose steadily through the ranks, culminating in his role as Executive Director of Player Personnel. His tenure helped produce one of the most successful teams in the modern NFL, featuring All-Pros like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill.
The Bears Rebuild Begins
In January 2022, Poles was named the seventh general manager in Chicago Bears history and immediately began an aggressive, long-term vision for rebuilding both the roster and team culture. From trading marquee veterans to clearing cap space, Poles made bold early moves—including the high-profile trades of Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith—to reset the foundation. His strategic maneuvering turned the 2022 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick into a historic haul of draft capital and wide receiver DJ Moore, one of the most productive wideouts in the league.
Drafting the Future
Poles’ eye for talent paid off in the 2024 NFL Draft, where he selected Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams first overall and standout wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick. Both players delivered record-setting rookie campaigns, immediately reshaping the Bears’ offense. On the other side of the ball, Poles helped build one of the NFL’s most effective red zone defenses, bolstered by savvy free agency additions and a midseason trade for Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat.
A Culture of Youth, Toughness, and Adaptability
Poles hasn’t just changed the Bears’ depth chart—he’s changed their identity. He led the charge in transforming Chicago from one of the league’s oldest rosters to one of the youngest, emphasizing accountability, development, and a team-first mentality. His blueprint: build through the draft, supplement with calculated free agency signings and trades, and create a culture of grit and adaptability. That approach helped the Bears lead the NFL in rushing in 2022 and field the league’s top-ranked run defense just a year later.
Stability Through Vision
Despite a turbulent 2024 season, Poles’ long-term vision earned him a contract extension through 2029. Working in lockstep with newly hired Head Coach Ben Johnson, Poles continues to guide the Bears into a new era—one defined by smart roster building, development, and a clear-eyed view of success beyond the win-loss column.