One of the mistakes people are making regarding the discussions around the Chicago Bears quarterback situations is assuming they know GM Ryan Poles’ preferences. That is the first big mistake. Yes, several media experts maintain the same QB rankings of the 2024 draft class. USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are at the top. However, people forget not all GMs are the same. Guys see the game through different lenses. Poles is no different. His preferences for the quarterback position may not align with other people.
While his stances on Williams and Maye are unclear, a source informed SM that Poles does have one quarterback in the class he “likes a lot.” That is Michael Penix of Washington. The former transfer from Indiana suffered a brutal start to his college career, including two season-ending injuries to his right knee. People thought he was a lost cause. Over the past two years, he’s been nothing short of stellar, with almost 9,000 yards passing, 64 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. His play is the single biggest reason Washington made it to the College Football Playoff this year.
Draft expert Chad Reuter of NFL.com recently compared him to C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans’ breakout rookie sensation.
Ryan Poles’ interesting Penix shouldn’t be a surprise.
A few months ago, it was revealed what three traits the Bears GM covets most in his quarterbacks during an episode of 1920 Football Drive. They were:
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
- Accuracy
- Decision-making
- Arm strength
Often, the first two things mentioned in Penix’s scouting reports are his excellent decision-making and consistent accuracy. Couple that with one of the best deep balls in college football, and it gets easier to understand why Ryan Poles likes him. If you give him decent protection, he will find the open man. His processing ability has advanced rapidly over the past two years.
Does this mean Poles would take him at #1 overall? Of course not. The injury history alone would make that too reckless and irresponsible. However, many believe Penix settles in the late-1st or early-2nd round range. That means the Bears could trade out of #1, accumulate more assets, and maneuver around the board to secure Penix later. This way, Poles nabs two blue-chip guys in the top-10 and still secures his QB of choice later on.
Nothing is set in stone. While the Bears GM may like Penix, it doesn’t mean he is fully committed to him. A lot can change between now and the draft. QB interviews will play a massive part in the evaluation process. This will be something to keep in mind.
You write so many articles based on “a source”, yet they all read like clear assumptions.
Build a team. Get a coaching staff. Quarterbacks are a dime a dozen. Look how many names pop up here.
I like the approach of drafting day MHJ and Alt or Turner. Then in the second round maybe addressing QB and keeping fields in a competition. That is such a better idea than using a number one overall pick on Williams or maye who I feel both just have just written all over them. Look how many of the best QBs this year in this league were taken in the second round and up. It’s quite a few of them and arguably at least 3 of the top 5.
I like that approach, tho I was leaning to Nix after bagging Harrison and Fashanu.
In my opinion if we trade the #1 and take a WR and OT you can bet the farm it was to take Penix. If he’s properly protected he will carve up some D. But as much fun as it is to think about we won’t have any idea at all until after the season. If Flus and Co. get fired bet the farm JF is done unless the new HC gets the job because he knows how to help JF take a HUGE leap