Ryan Poles May Have Just Tipped Off His Draft Plans In New Interview

It is incredible how things change. When Ryan Poles took over as GM of the Chicago Bears, he didn't even have a 1st round pick at his disposal because of the Justin Fields trade. Then, thanks to a poor record in 2022 and an excellent trade in 2023, he will hold the #1 overall pick in back-to-back drafts. Only a handful of general managers in NFL history have ever held such a distinction. People are dying to know what Poles has planned. Many believe he will use this as his chance to select a new quarterback, finally moving on from Fields.

Others wonder if he might have ideas for an encore from last year. Everybody remembers what happened. Poles flipped the #1 pick to Carolina for a massive package, including the 9th pick, a 2nd round pick, a future 1st round pick, a future 2nd round pick, and wide receiver D.J. Moore. That package turned into Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Moore, and now the #1 pick in 2024. Pretty good. Poles was asked by Jeff Joniak on ESPN 1000 about what he may have planned this time around.

While the GM was predictably vague, he may have dropped a not-so-subtle hint.

Ryan Poles did the same thing last year.

He indicated through the media that the Bears were open to moving the pick. That is precisely what he did here. Poles wouldn't have mentioned it if there were no plans to do so. He went out of his way to do so. Knowing how he operates, it sure sounds like the GM hopes to duplicate what happened last year with a move down the board for a significant return in compensation. It's no secret there are several QB-needy teams in the upcoming draft. At least one of them will want to come up for the guy they covet, whether it's Caleb Williams or somebody else.

Such a stance shouldn't be a surprise. Fields has played well down the stretch. He looks more comfortable as a passer than he has at any other point in his career. Trading him is an option, but the return for the #1 pick would be substantially large. Ryan Poles could stockpile more assets, build around Fields, and still keep his options open at quarterback in 2025. Some people may not like the idea of passing on top quarterbacks again, especially after watching C.J. Stroud in Houston. Still, it's a team game. Poles knows he must get the entire roster to a championship level, and that requires high draft picks.