The Chicago Bears have one of the most highly-anticipated offseasons looming in 2024. Part of that is because the team appears to be trending up, meaning one more strong infusion of talent could put them in the playoff mix. Another is the fact they have great odds to land the #1 pick in the draft and all the possibilities that brings. More than anything, it centers around what GM Ryan Poles will do at quarterback. His decisions come down to two options. Either he will stay the course with Justin Fields, or he will use that #1 pick to go with a quarterback of his choosing.
This has created a widespread debate on what will happen. Fans and many in the media believe Fields has done enough to justify another year as the starter. People inside the NFL disagree. They feel the decision is clear. Poles must restart the rookie contract clock by drafting somebody and trading Fields. Both sides have a fair argument. However, throughout the debates, people haven't stopped to ask the obvious question.
What is Poles' archetype for a quarterback?
Most will immediately go straight to Patrick Mahomes, the cannon-armed, improvisational wizard in Kansas City. He's won two Super Bowls, two MVPs and is on track for the Hall of Fame at only 28 years old. Poles helped draft him in 2017. Another is Alex Smith, the uber-efficient trade acquisition from San Francisco in 2013 who pulled the Chiefs out of the dumpster. Both are acceptable answers, but probably not the most important one. People forget another crucial QB who influenced Poles' football career.
The one he played with.
Poles played his football at Boston College. His quarterback for almost that entire period was a man named Matt Ryan. The eventual four-time Pro Bowler and 2016 league MVP was one of the best of his generation. He is also one of Poles' best friends, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.
With quarterback Matt Ryan, the Eagles were a national title contender, and Ryan became one of Poles’ best friends. (You can see him in Poles’ famous wedding video.) After the injury, the pair skipped spring break and went to Florida to train together. Poles had to get back on the NFL map.
This was later confirmed by Ryan himself when he spoke to Larry Mayer of Chicagobears.com.
"At Boston College] he was the best, a really, really hard worker who led by example,” Ryan told [ChicagoBears.com Wednesday. "He just kind of lived, breathed, ate and slept football. That's what he was all about. He's one of my best friends and I'm just so happy for him."
Ryan Poles' vision of a great quarterback started with Matt Ryan.
The eventual #3 overall pick in 2008 was known for intelligence, intangibles, and leadership. He boasted a 6'5 frame and good arm strength. Yet where he thrived the most was throwing with pinpoint accuracy from the pocket. He had a standout ability to read the field quickly, using clean footwork to avoid pressure and find the open man. Mobility was never his greatest strength, but it didn't matter. As long as he was adequately protected, he would pick you apart like a surgeon.
That is who Ryan Poles has had in his head the longest—more than Smith or Mahomes. So when people keep talking about Fields and his athleticism as such huge selling points, there is a strong likelihood it doesn't resonate with the Bears GM. Mobility is fine, but championship teams are built around quarterbacks who win from the pocket. For all his phenomenal physical tools, Fields remains inadequate in that area. He holds the ball too long, still misses open opportunities, and takes too many sacks.
If we're being honest, he never fit Poles' vision for that position. With the #1 pick almost in hand, it feels like the Bears GM will go hunting for his Matt Ryan next spring.
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