New GM Ryan Poles says Bears are going to 'take the North and never give it back'
Remember Lovie Smith's opening news conference when he was named the Chicago Bears coach in 2004?
Let's find the way-back machine.
Smith said he wanted Chicago's fan base to know that "the number one goal is to beat Green Bay." He coached nine seasons in Chicago and won NFC North titles in 2005, 2006 and 2010. The Bears have been NFC North champions just once since Smith's last season with the Bears in 2012.
Meanwhile, the Packers have won 10 NFC North titles since 2004, including the last three. They've been to the NFC championship game four times over the last eight seasons.
Perhaps new Bears general manager Ryan Poles took some inspiration from Smith in his introductory press conference on Monday. But instead of making a proclamation exclusive to the Packers, Poles included all of his division rivals. It had a "Game of Thrones" vibe that Packers fans will likely find it humorous.
"We’re going to take the North and never give it back," Poles said.
With Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain in Green Bay, Poles might be feeling a little more confident than most first-time general managers.