When the Chicago Bears had the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft, general manager Ryan Poles was quick to offer support to starting quarterback Justin Fields, indicating in a press conference that it was unlikely the Bears would take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. But with the Bears once again holding the No. 1 overall pick, Fields got no such support this year.
In a press conference this week, Ryan Poles chose not to commit to Justin Fields next year, instead saying that the team is in “a unique situation” and “has to look at everything.”
“I know there’s going to be a lot of questions on Justin,” Poles said according to Pro Football Talk. “There’s going to be a lot of questions on the draft process. We are in information gathering mode right now. We are going to turn every stone to make sure that we are going to make a sound decision for our organization.
“I did think Justin got better. I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there’s a unique situation where I have to look and our staff has to look at everything, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do, and that’s the same with free agency. We’re going to look at our free agents, given my personnel staff, do evaluations, and again, make the best decision we can for this organization to take the next step.”
It’s a pretty brutal move from the Bears as it’s quite a different message from last year, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
He’s gone https://t.co/FlHKrwnyrY
— SlossBoss12 (@sloss_boss12) January 11, 2024
If I'm the @Patriots I'm getting Justin Fields and taking Marvin Harrison at #3 https://t.co/i98KWjfXo5
— AGreatCall (@agreatcall) January 11, 2024
He has the # 1 pick and can select Caleb Williams while simultaneously resetting the clock for his QB to be on a rookie deal. ZERO reason fields should be the QB. They should be ecstatic that he played decent down the stretch so they can trade him for more than a ham sandwich
— Sean (@SeanG8319) January 11, 2024
So Caleb Williams gets to play one year for Eberflus, then they clean house and he has to learn a new offense in his second year. Hmm… sounds familiar 🤔
— Mr. Corndog 🌽🐶 (@corndogtaster) January 11, 2024
Caleb Williams with the first overall pick as for Fields get 2nd (2024) + player, 2025 3rd rounder.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) January 11, 2024
So… they commit to the HC… but not the QB 😂
— mf i hate you (@MuntageJr) January 11, 2024
We’ll have to see what the Bears choose to do at the position.
