NFC North general managers ranked from worst to best

Building long-term success starts with the general manager. It's on them to make crucial roster-building decisions in free agency and the draft.

The NFC North has seen significant change in recent offseasons. Ryan Poles and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are in only their second year as general managers in the division. Brad Holmes is in year three with the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has spent the most time in the role, having been hired in 2018.

Ahead of what promises to be the most exciting NFC North battle in years, who is the best GM in the division?

4. Ryan Poles, Chicago Bears

It's far too early to determine whether Ryan Poles' tenure with the Bears will be a success or failure.

Poles inherited a Bears team that had gone 6-11 in 2021 and needed a shakeup. He deserves credit for hitting the reset button, knowing a rebuild was required in the Windy City. That meant moving on from star players like Khalil Mack.

The early returns weren't great -- Chicago finished 2022 with a league-worst 3-14 record -- but they were never going to be. Poles is building for the future.

What Poles has done is rebuild Justin Fields' supporting cast. First-round pick Darnell Wright is a great addition along the offensive line, and the Bears now have a receiving corps featuring DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet.

The rebuild is well underway in Chicago. After the team spent big in free agency and improved the offense, Bears fans expect an increase in the win column this season.