Ryan Poles is one of the youngest GMs in the NFL. So people inevitably treat him as the sports version of a kid. While he may have plenty of raw intelligence, his experience level is a concern. He hasn’t been exposed to enough of the high-level workings of a front office to understand its challenges. That was the risk George McCaskey took when he made Poles GM of the Chicago Bears. He was willing to bet the man did enough of his homework to be prepared for any scenario he might face going into a pivotal 2023 off-season.
Sure enough, he was faced with one right out of the gate. Now that the Bears hold the #1 pick in the draft, the inevitable question arrived. Would he consider ending the Justin Fields experiment and picking a quarterback of his own? It’s a reasonable question. Fields wasn’t all that great as a passer this past season. He doesn’t have much longevity as a run-first guy, even with his elite athleticism.
Poles made it clear the plan is for Fields to be the starter next season, with the team spending the next several months trying to improve the roster around him. However, he also said he’d consider a quarterback at #1 but only if one of them absolutely blew him away. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson explained why this approach was brilliant for the Bears GM.
Ryan Poles understands the primary rule.
The less other teams know about his intentions, the better. His answer to the media was just vague enough to leave other GMs wondering if he might actually consider taking a quarterback. That will increase the possible urgency to move up for their preferred guy. At the same time, it will cause other teams to call him about Fields’ availability. This will help him gauge the market on what he could get for the Bears QB if he decides to make a change. Information is the most valuable thing on a battlefield. This approach ensures Poles will accumulate all the knowledge he needs to make the right decision for his franchise.
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The beauty is Ryan Poles does not need to feel rushed. The longer he waits, the more uncomfortable others teams will become about their own plans for the draft. They’ll start second-guessing whether it is a good idea to take one approach. Maybe moving up to #1 is the best thing they could do. It’s the only way to ensure they get their guy. Sooner or later, one of them will break. That is what Poles is banking on by not giving straight answers. He’s playing the game.
What are the odds, that in 100 days, half of us will have changed our current opinion as to the competence of GM, Ryan Poles?
It’s not inexperience for a new GM to wait and see before endorsing his quarterback. He didn’t draft Justin Fields and so he waited to see what he could do before becoming his supporter and to lead them in the future. It’s not the GM jobs to patronize player and be concerned about their feelings!
@scott brs, I completely agree. I am very hopeful Poles is that guy, and I am optimistic he is. Hes obviously intelligent and a grinder. But everyone already declaring him a great GM, have nothing really to base this on, other than hope. So far he has done the easy part in tearing the team down. Any GM can do that. I want to see can he build it back up. His first draft was “ok”. Maybe a C+. Still bugs me that we passed on Pickens, but what can ya do. But his first run at FA was bad,… Read more »
Poles should take it a step further and call teams, including those who may be looking to trade up to #1, and inquire what they would give up for Fields.
If the Bears really want to keep Fields, that would really fock those teams up and have them scratching their heads..
I’m not completely sold on Poles like some people. His free agent acquisitions and trades are shaky at best. But I don’t think the guy is stupid. It’s almost impossible to screw this up. You said you were going to build through the draft. Do it.