Ryan Poles' Preferred 2024 QB May Not Be Who You Think

One of the mistakes people are making regarding the discussions around the Chicago Bears quarterback situations is assuming they know GM Ryan Poles' preferences. That is the first big mistake. Yes, several media experts maintain the same QB rankings of the 2024 draft class. USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are at the top. However, people forget not all GMs are the same. Guys see the game through different lenses. Poles is no different. His preferences for the quarterback position may not align with other people.

While his stances on Williams and Maye are unclear, a source informed SM that Poles does have one quarterback in the class he "likes a lot." That is Michael Penix of Washington. The former transfer from Indiana suffered a brutal start to his college career, including two season-ending injuries to his right knee. People thought he was a lost cause. Over the past two years, he's been nothing short of stellar, with almost 9,000 yards passing, 64 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. His play is the single biggest reason Washington made it to the College Football Playoff this year.

Draft expert Chad Reuter of NFL.com recently compared him to C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans' breakout rookie sensation.

Ryan Poles' interesting Penix shouldn't be a surprise.

A few months ago, it was revealed what three traits the Bears GM covets most in his quarterbacks during an episode of 1920 Football Drive. They were:

1. Accuracy
2. Decision-making
3. Arm strength

Often, the first two things mentioned in Penix's scouting reports are his excellent decision-making and consistent accuracy. Couple that with one of the best deep balls in college football, and it gets easier to understand why Ryan Poles likes him. If you give him decent protection, he will find the open man. His processing ability has advanced rapidly over the past two years.

Does this mean Poles would take him at #1 overall? Of course not. The injury history alone would make that too reckless and irresponsible. However, many believe Penix settles in the late-1st or early-2nd round range. That means the Bears could trade out of #1, accumulate more assets, and maneuver around the board to secure Penix later. This way, Poles nabs two blue-chip guys in the top-10 and still secures his QB of choice later on.

Nothing is set in stone. While the Bears GM may like Penix, it doesn't mean he is fully committed to him. A lot can change between now and the draft. QB interviews will play a massive part in the evaluation process. This will be something to keep in mind.