Ex-Chicago Bears Beat Writer Claims Eberflus And Fields Decisions Are Made

People have said GM Ryan Poles is likely still evaluating the Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields situations with one game left for the Chicago Bears. Once the Green Bay game ends, he will take some time to determine what he wants to do going into the 2024 off-season. It is important to zoom out and look at the big picture. One can’t let a few games at the end of the season sway the decision one way or the other. However, at least one person has it on what he feels is good authority that Poles already made his mind up.

Bob Warja covered the Bears in the 2000s for Bleacher Report, serving on the beat for a few years. He popped up with some eye-opening tweets. From what he’s hearing, both Eberflus and Fields will return in 2024. The plan is to put the #1 pick up for auction, trading down a few spots so they can still get Marvin Harrison Jr. or secure multiple future 1st round picks. Poles is content to maintain the status quo and continue building the roster with as much talent as possible while keeping his options open.

I still have sources at Halas Hall from my writing days. I was able to confirm what we've all heard – Fluss is returning as head coach. I've also verified that Poles made his decision about a week ago to stay with Fields and not draft a qb #1.

— Bob Warja (@BobWarja) January 3, 2024

They will trade the #1 pick, but hopefully draft Harrison. But that would likely mean not moving very far down the draft board. If they get a better offer in trade for a WR then they can move outside of the top 3 in the draft (they're worried the Cardinals would draft Harrison)

— Bob Warja (@BobWarja) January 3, 2024

Now, plans can change based on circumstances; however, I feel very solid about what I'm reporting.

— Bob Warja (@BobWarja) January 3, 2024

The Chicago Bears will tip their hand within a week of the season’s end.

If Eberflus is still employed within 72 hours of the finale against Green Bay, that will be a clear sign he is remaining in place as the head coach. Fields’ situation won’t become apparent right away. Expectations are that the decision on him will likely comes to light around March. Remember, the Bears traded the #1 pick last year on March 10th. If Fields is their guy, rumblings of the pick getting moved again should surface. On the other hand, it might also be around the time word leaks that Fields is being shopped.

Warja isn’t the most reliable source, but it’s something to note carefully. Poles does have a tendency not to waste time making his big decisions. Many thought the Chicago Bears would wait to trade the #1 pick until closer to the draft last year. Poles felt it needed to get done sooner in case teams got cold feet. He was proven correct in that assumption. If he is already committed to staying the course with Eberflus and Fields, it says a lot about his evaluations of the incoming draft class.

More details should be forthcoming by next week.