Ryan Poles isn't a fool. He understands the gravity of his situation better than anybody. The pressure on him is immense. Everybody knows his decision with the #1 pick in less than three weeks will fundamentally decide the direction of the Chicago Bears for the next 5-10 years. He also knows their ugly legacy at quarterback. His decision to trade Justin Fields was met with criticism from certain outlets. There is also the fact he passed on C.J. Stroud still hanging over his head. All of it means he has to get this quarterback decision at #1 correct. So one can't blame him for getting a little obsessive in his evaluation of Caleb Williams.
NFL insider Albert Breer of the MMQB dropped some fascinating information after the scouting combine that helped illustrate the lengths Poles will go to for the details he needs.
"In dispatching his scouts to all-star games, Poles directed evaluators to ask about the 2022 Heisman winner when they interviewed Oklahoma Sooners or USC players, or others who crossed paths with Williams. The returns there were good. Sometimes, you can get awkward pauses, if players are lukewarm on teammates they’re asked about. It was the opposite in this case. The mention of Williams’s name brought about a lot of smiles."
That should give people a reminder of how crazy the quarterback evaluation process can get. Directing scouts to basically interrogate current and former teammates about a guy probably is among the tamer things teams have done. Either way, it sounds like Poles got the answers he was hoping for.
Caleb Williams appears to have cleared the hurdles.
While the Bears GM won't tell anybody what it is until draft night, pretty much everybody believes Williams is a lock to be the #1 pick. It will mark the first time the franchise has ever selected a quarterback at that spot. Each of the other times was running backs way back in the early days of the league. This decision will be a signal by Poles that he believes Williams is the kind of talent who can be a genuine franchise quarterback. Somebody who can put an organization on his back for many years to come.
It is not an easy mantle to assume. Chicago is a tough city. They've been burned by other quarterbacks for years. Poles understands it will take somebody with immense mental toughness to handle the pressure coming their way. Caleb Williams has had the spotlight on him since high school. He had to excel in two different blue blood programs at Oklahoma and USC. Everything you hear about him is a mature, even-keeled young man who is a great teammate and fierce competitor.
Nobody can say Poles didn't do everything possible to make the right decision.
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