Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers a few months ago. But with OTA practices now officially underway, the media now has the opportunity to speak with both new and returning players. Naturally, Fields, as the Steelers new quarterback, was a key focus during the media sessions. During his appearance, Fields was asked several questions about his time with the Chicago Bears. One question, in particular, garnered a nice response about current Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. Here’s what Fields had to say about his former GM.
“Shoutout to Poles, we communicated to him through my agent, and I told him where I wanted to be and this was a place I wanted to be, so he honored that and I appreciate him for that and glad he was able to put me in a spot where I wanted to be at.”
Ryan Poles did right by Justin Fields.
It’s well-known that Poles did right by Justin Fields. Shortly after the deal was finalized, it was reported that there were other, potentially better offers for Fields. However, as Fields himself noted, Poles chose to prioritize Fields preference and sent him to Pittsburgh, which has now been revealed as Fields favorite destination. This will of course benefit Justin Fields but also potentially any other players the Bears might try to acquire. A general manager who prioritizes players is very good look for a franchise.
@TGena
Are you saying Ryan Pace is a better GM than what Ryan Poles has done so far?
@TGena – you know that I think you usually raise valid points. And I probably am closer to your views on Poles than the 70% or so “King Poles” guys here enjoying their plant vapors. Where you lose me, and where I think you lose a lot of people who actually might agree with you on a number of items is that you insist Poles is an outright terrible GM. The evidence just doesn’t support that conclusion at this date. Right now, Poles probably ranks somewhere around 16-19 out of 32 GMs, if you account for luck, where he started,… Read more »
Let me just close on this, TGena. It’s bubblebath time, and I’m going with lemongrass. Poles is going to sign a shitbird OLman sometime this year. It’s inevitable. Serviceable OLmen are difficulty to find, especially mid season when injjuries pile up. Grab a fat guy, and stick him in there. It is what it is. Have another even fatter guy ready to go behind him. OLmen are always recycled. For the millionth time, injuries are going to hit the secondary and our OL. It happens every year, excpet once in a blue moon. We are loaded along our secondary. They… Read more »
One of my points defending Poles is the hole he started the job in. At the end of last year’s draft, I wanted Odunze and/or Cornelius Johnson from Michigan. All that said, I’m not sure I would have drafted RO at #9 this year. I’d have done my best to trade down and invest in both lines. That doesn’t necessarily mean I think Poles is wrong, Odunze is a fantastic player. I’d still draft 2 more WRs next year. I’ve been clear in my stance on Poles all along. I’ll judge him at the end of this year. He’s already… Read more »
@jmscooby — I played a lot of OL — and just don’t get Ryan Poles, at all! Don’t want to sound like that other guy, but I told y’all about Larry Borom, Teven Jenkins, James Daniels, Dakota “Bull” Dozier, Julien Davenport, Bernhard Raimann, Lucas Patrick, Alex Leatherwood, Joe Tippmann, Nate “where’s Waldo” Davis, and Darnell Wright before any of them took an NFL snap (or, at least, their first one for the Chicago Bears). I look at what Ryan Poles has actually done, to date — not what he might do, in the future. Regarding the Bears’ offensive line and… Read more »