NFL Exec Admits Ryan Poles Will Likely Fleece Somebody For #1 Pick

Ryan Poles didn’t set out believing he’d end up with the #1 overall pick. However, his plan was clear from the moment he took over. The Chicago Bears needed to hit the reset button. Their roster was old, injured, and overpaid. Big contracts had to be unloaded, and the team desperately needed an infusion of youth. When rebuilds start, they almost always look ugly in the beginning. That proved true in 2022 as the Bears collapsed from a promising start to go 3-14, locking up the top pick for the first time in 76 years.

However, it appears the streak of not actually making that pick will remain intact. Rumors are increasing that Chicago is becoming more and more likely to trade the pick. Adam Schefter confirmed this with a report that they've received multiple inquiries about it. There is no shortage of quarterback-needy teams in or near the top ten. It isn't hard to imagine one of them wanting to come up for a guy they like. One NFL executive said this to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. If Poles stays patient, he'll get the offer he is looking for.

As one league executive not in the hunt for the top pick said: “Things are going to start revealing themselves. That chatter about the No. 1 selection is already beginning. Ryan is in a great spot. Now? Just be patient. That’s all he needs to do. Be patient. Teams need quarterbacks. And teams will almost certainly fall in love with one of these guys.

“If you’re the Bears, you just hope one of these prospects is legitimately worthy of being the No. 1 pick and that you have multiple teams hungry enough to move up there.”

Ryan Poles has no reason to move right now.

He has the leverage. Teams must come to him if they want the quarterback they covet. He can take this all the way into the draft if he wants. That isn't likely, but it speaks to the careful game he's playing. The closer the draft gets, the more some of these GMs will start sweating. They will wonder if another team is going to beat them to the punch. That creates paranoia. Paranoia leads to aggressive action. Poles knows this. He's been around the league long enough to understand draft psychology.

Anything can happen. There is still an outside chance the Bears decide to stay put. Maybe they fall in love with Jalen Carter or Will Anderson. Maybe they don't get the offers they were hoping for. Still, all the signs indicate otherwise. Ryan Poles is likely one month away from pulling the trigger on a trade that could potentially alter the landscape of this franchise. There are risks involved. Moving down typically makes drafting a good player more difficult. Still, the potential reward is impossible to pass up.