Every day, NFL players and reporters enter the league's hottest topic. The debate continues regarding the Bears quarterback. What should Ryan Poles do? He was two top-ten picks in the 2024 draft and has his pick of the top QB prospects, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Michael Penix. Option two would be to auction off the top overall pick to the highest bidder, accumulating valuable draft capital and perhaps a veteran to add to the roster.
The divide between which direction Poles should take has taken on a life of its own. Bears players, including Jaylon Johnson and DJ Moore, have been extremely vocal in their support for Fields. Rarely have there been any NFL players siding with the trade Fields camp. Recently, however, Pittsburgh RB LeVeon Bell, responding to a question, should the Steelers trade their 20th overall selection to Chicago for Fields, was telling.
"hell no, nothin against Justin Fields tho .. he’s just not the answer, TRUST ME"
LeVeon Bell
Bell's post is one of only a few from a current or former player opposed to the Bears building around their 3rd-year quarterback. You find reporters and social media blowhards beating their chests for Caleb Williams. Colin Cowherd and Daniel Jeremiah are just two of several media types firmly in the draft Caleb side of the argument.
Louis Riddick from ESPN sides with keeping Fields and building the roster with the draft capital Ryan Poles can add by trading the top pick in this year's draft.
The Pros and Cons On Each Side
There are pluses and minuses on both sides of this debate. Keeping Fields and coupling him with new coaches means he has to learn his 4th system since his last year at Ohio State. Before last season NFL players voted Fields into the top 100 players in the NFL and has flashed brilliantly at times.
If Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus hit a home run with the new offensive staff and Fields is able to maximize his immense potential, Chicago already has their QB1.
There is little doubt Ryan Poles will explore draft options as well. The NFL Combine is just 6 weeks away. Poles and his scouting team will spend endless hours researching the quarterbacks that are eligible in 2024. The consensus top QB is Caleb WIlliams. He was the undisputed top prospect for this year's draft since he put together an amazing season in 2022. In 2023, he was continuing on that path until the USC Trojans played Notre Dame. Williams Stat Line is shown below.
| 23/37 comp/att | 199 yards | 1 TD | 3 INT |
After the Notre Dame game, Willams just wasn't the same QB he was in 2022 or the first half of this season. Those questions must be answered before the Bears, or any NFL team, decides to make him the number one pick this April.
The Search For A New OC Continues
As Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus continue interviewing candidates for the vacant positions for the offense, they must find a coach who can adapt his scheme and match it to the talent on the roster. Luke Getsy's biggest problem was trying to make Fields into Aaron Rodgers when Justin Fields' skillset is similar to Lamar Jackson's. One only needed to watch Saturday's playoff game when Buffalo hosted the Houston Texans to see the similarities.
Ryan Poles promised to leave no stone unturned in their search for their new offensive coordinator. And he has been true to his word. Eight or nine potential candidates have been interviewed. Will Pace interview additional coaches? Will he start second interviews this week? Stay tuned...
News and Notes
Two of the final four teams playing in championship weekend next Sunday were decided on Saturday. Baltimore pulled away from the upstart Texans in the early game. The final score was 34-10 after the teams played to a 10-10 tie in the first half. MVP favorite Lamar Jackson threw for just 152 yards but had two touchdown passes. He added 100 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns with his legs. Does that stat line remind you of anyone?
San Francisco scored a late TD in the late game to beat the Green Bay Packers 24-21.
Sunday's games
Detroit hosts Tampa at 2:00. The game is televised on NBC and Peacock. The winner travels to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.
Tonight Kansas City and Buffalo renew their playoff battle. The game starts at 5:30 and will be on your local CBS affiliate and streamed live on Paramount +. The winner must travel to Baltimore for next Sunday's AFC Championship.
Both games will also be available on NFL+
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