Ryan Poles Just Dropped A Bombshell On #1 Pick Trade Talks

Ryan Poles has kept his cards close to the vest up until now regarding the #1 overall pick. He acknowledged the possibility he could trade it, as many believe he will. He's also prepared to stay put if the Chicago Bears GM doesn't get the kind of offer he wants. That likely won't be a problem. Multiple high-profile insiders have said the interest in that top pick is significant. With several teams involved, it's a safe assumption that the Bears will get a massive return whenever they pull the trigger.

Nobody could've predicted that one of the biggest revelations would come from Poles himself. He spoke with Peter King of NBC Sports about the Bears' situation at length. He seemed to indicate the plan is to stick with Justin Fields moving forward. That isn't a huge surprise. The young quarterback made progress in 2022. He has a chance to take a big step this year with more help around him. No, the bombshell came when Poles openly stated he'd talked to teams about trading #1 overall at the combine and has a good idea of what he can get in return.

He even revealed specifics.

Poles spoke softly but urgently in 50 minutes. He was supportive of quarterback Justin Fields, saying “we’ve got to see it through” in giving Fields a chance to be the team’s long-term starter. It’s clear he’s not trading Fields, and he’s not picking a quarterback high in this draft. He left little doubt the Bears will trade the first overall pick and said he’d spoken to three teams at the Combine about a deal. (He wouldn’t identify them.) He said he had enough conversations about a deal to know in swapping first-round picks this year he can get “a ’24 one and a ’25 one” in a major package for a trade. However far down he goes in the draft this year, Poles wants to be sure he gets a “blue player,” his term for a premier first-rounder—and there may be only six or eight of those when the Bears end up setting their board.

Ryan Poles knows he has leverage now.

That became clearer than ever after the quarterbacks put on a show at the scouting combine. C.J. Stroud had an excellent throwing session. Anthony Richardson broke records in athletic drills. Will Levis looked good too. To top it off, Bryce Young eased fears about his weight by showing up at 204 lbs. Several questions were answered. Now teams are prepared to take a big swing to get one of them before somebody else does. Poles seems ready to make the deal, but only once they agree to his price.

It sounds like some of those teams want to get something done now. The sooner they can acquire the pick, the more comfortable they can feel about their plans. Ryan Poles has no problem with that. However, it will come at a cost. Making a deal this early before free agency would force the Bears to alter their own plans. The GM would do it, but only if one of those teams pays up. Two future 1st round picks and likely additional Day 2 selections would undoubtedly be his ticket to reconstructing this roster into a possible contender.