Prior to the NFL 2024 Combine, Ryan Poles, the General Manager of the Chicago Bears, addressed the media in a press conference. Here are my three biggest takeaways.
Ryan Poles kicked off the press conference by addressing his All-Pro cornerback, Jaylon Johnson. He announced that the Bears are actively negotiating an extension with Johnson and expressed confidence in reaching an agreement. Poles emphasized his preference for reaching a deal rather than resorting to the franchise tag. I believe that a deal will come together very soon.
Depending on your stance in the quarterback debate, you might either appreciate or disagree with Ryan Poles statement. However, it’s worth considering its validity given Poles involvement with drafting Patrick Mahomes during his time in Kansas City. While Williams has yet to play in the NFL, he’s widely regarded as an elite quarterback prospect. Kyle Long also acknowledged Poles remarks on the quarterbacks stating it was noteworthy. Poles also made it clear that he hasn’t heard anything from Williams indicating that he doesn’t want to be in Chicago.
One intriguing quote from Poles was his classification of quarterbacks into two types: Artists and Surgeons. In my opinion, Williams might possess qualities of both categories which is fun to think about.
Ryan Poles stated today that if the team opts to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, he believes it would be necessary to trade Justin Fields before free agency begins.
Despite acknowledging the loyalty for Fields in the Bears locker room, Poles emphasized his responsibility to prioritize the franchise’s best interests. While Poles expressed uncertainty about his plans, his remarks in the press conference strongly suggest a potential departure for Justin Fields. However, that is simply my opinion and have not heard confirmation regarding this take. It just seems likely that trade discussions will heat up during the combine, and by the end of next week, there may be true clarity on Fields future for the upcoming season.
In this week’s episode of the BFR Podcast, presented by Sports Mockery, Dave and Ficky chat with Theo Ash of The Stay Hot Podcast. Tune in for an engaging discussion on all things Bears, including off-season news, Justin Fields trade rumors, and more! Catch the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, or watch the video below.
