Justin Fields Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) practices before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. The Bears reached the coveted mark of futility after a 3-14 season. Within the year though, Justin Fields emerged as a star and Chicago quickly became enamored with him.

So why, then, is Fields‘ name being hovered around in trade scenarios? The nature of the business in the NFL is obviously not a pleasant one. Still, this feels like something that’s gotten a bit out of control. While quarterback prospects like C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are intriguing, picking them now would reset the Bears’ clock even further backward. And right now, the Bears seem fine with where they’re at.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles silenced much of the talk on Monday though. Poles was asked about potentially selecting a QB first overall. He responded, “We’re gonna do the same as we’ve always done. We’re going to evaluate the draft class. … I’d have to absolutely be blown away to make that type of decision.”

So Fields probably won’t be sent out of Chicago anytime soon. Especially since he all but plainly stated that the former first-round selection was the team’s expected QB next season.

The NFL world reacted to Poles’ comments after they were made.

Zack Pearson said Poles simply “cleared it all up.”

Dave Kluge suggested that Poles committing or decommitting to anything would tank the value of their pick.

Ian Kenyon wasn’t… so confident.

And Brendan Sugrue was pleased with what was said.

[NFL on ESPN]

About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022