One thing that has always been great about Ryan Poles is his genuine responses. He isn't the type of person who goes out of his way to be difficult when talking to the media. He won't divulge certain things because it could get him and the Chicago Bears in trouble, but otherwise, he has built a reputation for refreshing honesty. That remained the case during his press conference at the scouting combine. He revealed multiple things. In his estimation, talks with cornerback Jaylon Johnson are going well. It sounds like the two sides might be close on an extension.
Next was the quarterbacks. He made it as clear as he could that no decision had been made despite the ongoing rumors. They still have work to do evaluating the draft class, both at the combine itself and in private workouts. Poles wants to have all the information before making a decision. Once he knows, everybody, including Justin Fields, will immediately be informed. Then there is the matter of the #1 pick. It isn't a secret other teams might be interested in trading for it. After all, Poles already dealt it once before.
That knowledge appears to have made other GMs bolder in their efforts to talk with him.
“My phone won’t stop ringing...Yeah, it starts slow. We were at the Senior Bowl. I know people were kind of poking around. I haven’t had, like, big-time conversations with anyone. But everyone wants to take the temperature of what’s going on.”
Ryan Poles understands how to use his leverage.
He knows other teams likely have that certain quarterback they have in mind. Unlike last year, the price to move up will be considerably higher. That is how highly thought of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are as prospects. Both are considered substantial upgrades from Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud last year. It has already been made clear that Chicago isn't as eager to sell the pick this time. They plan to move off Justin Fields, which means they also want to take a quarterback. So, if you want to move them, you better come forward with a strong offer.
It feels like the only team that may have a reasonable chance to work a deal with Ryan Poles is Washington. They hold the #2 pick, meaning he wouldn't have to drop far. They would give him two high draft picks to switch places, likely to take hometown boy Williams. Then the Bears would be free to make their quarterback choice, having secured valuable draft assets along the way. It comes down to two things: whether Poles doesn't view Williams as the best quarterback in this class and whether he can keep everybody blind to that fact.
His poker face will be tested like never before this week.
