Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has revealed the team’s plans for the upcoming NFL Draft. And it appears the No. 1 pick will be up for grabs.
The Bears currently own said pick and were previously reported to be considering trading Justin Fields and selecting a quarterback at No. 1 but, following an interview with ProFootballTalk’s Peter King, the GM revealed Fields will remain the Bears’ choice at QB heading into 2023.
“It’s clear he’s not trading Fields, and he’s not picking a quarterback high in this draft,” King said after his conversation with Poles.
King also left the discussion with the understanding that the pick will be traded as Poles held talks over a possible deal with at least three teams at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“He left little doubt the Bears will trade the first overall pick and said he’d spoken to three teams at the Combine about a deal,” King added.
For Poles, it’s not a matter of if, but when.
Should we do this before free agency? Or should we wait?” he was quoted as saying. “I don’t know. That’s what I’ve communicated [to teams]. I could carry this all the way until we’re on the clock the night of the draft. But then there’s teams that want some certainty because, ‘If I need a quarterback bad, should I do that now when some of these guys, like Derek Carr, are out there?’ To me, they’ve got to go so much more above to do it now.
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“I’m not greedy with it. But they’re gonna have to go above and beyond to close the door now,” he added.
Of course, Derek Carr is no longer on the market as he’s agreed a deal with the New Orleans Saints after weeks of speculation.
“I know I can get a ’24 one and a ’25 one,” Poles also explained. “You’re telling me for the next two years I’ll have two ones? That’s either four really good players, or if we’re cruising, we can still trade back.”
GMs typically keep their plans under wraps but it appears Poles does not care who knows he’s keen on trading the Bears’ No. 1 pick.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out but it’s also great to see the Bears are keeping the faith where Fields is concerned given the year he just had. The signal-caller showed improvement in almost every category last season and is already looking jacked as he’s gotten his offseason work underway.
