Ryan Poles Reportedly Meeting With Every Top QB At The Combine

Ryan Poles seems to have the rest of the NFL world in a complete state of confusion. Nobody knows what he plans to do with the Chicago Bears. Recent reports suggest he is "leaning" towards trading the #1 overall pick to the highest bidder. Yet around that same time, another update came via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Poles is sticking to his original promise about keeping an open mind with this draft class, particularly the quarterbacks. The GM and head coach Matt Eberflus will meet personally with each one expected to go in the 1st round.

"The Bears are expected to meet at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with most, if not all, of the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class, sources say.

But sources also warn that shouldn't be seen as any indication the Bears are going to take a quarterback with the top overall pick. In fact, it is still unlikely Chicago actually owns the top selection once April's draft rolls around with the Bears likely to trade the pick and move back within the top half of the draft."

The truth is nobody knows for sure what the Bears plan to do. That uncertainty is a big reason why the market for the #1 pick is so strong. Teams are afraid Poles might actually consider unloading Justin Fields in favor of a quarterback of his choice. So they have no choice but to sweeten their offers to change his mind. That is how smart GMs operate. When teams believe you're capable of doing anything, it creates uncertainty. Nothing leads to kneejerk decisions more than uncertainty.

Ryan Poles isn't going to cut corners.

A responsible general manager always evaluates every draft prospect with equal effort and enthusiasm. Yes, it is more likely that Fields will remain the Bears' starting quarterback. He earned that right with considerable improvement in 2022. That said, there is always the possibility that somebody in this draft class makes such a deep impression that Poles becomes convinced he is a future superstar. That is why taking these meetings is important. It is a golden opportunity to get inside the heads of these players.

Remember, Ryan Poles was part of the evaluation process in 2017 when the Kansas City Chiefs zeroed in on Patrick Mahomes. He knows what character traits to look out for when talking to these guys. If Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson say the magic words, anything can happen. If nothing else, meeting with these players and making sure other teams know about it only furthers the Bears' agenda. Time well spent. There is no downside to it.