GM Ryan Poles did something few in his position have ever done in NFL history last year. He traded the #1 pick in the draft, securing a large package of assets from the Carolina Panthers. He turned that into wide receiver D.J. Moore, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, the #1 pick in the 2024 draft, and a 2nd in 2025. One couldn’t ask for much better results. It is a big reason why many Chicago Bears fans think Poles should do it again, securing another massive bag from a team eager to come up for one of the top quarterbacks in this class.
Of course, that would mean the Bears would again forge ahead with Justin Fields at quarterback. It’s not a crazy idea, but many people around the league are skeptical he’d do that. Poles himself didn’t commit to anything publicly, which is no surprise. That has allowed speculation to fly about what Chicago will do. Former team scout Greg Gabriel is adamant the Bears will trade the pick again. However, national insider Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado revealed on X that one thing has already been made clear.
The #1 pick is not for sale.
The Chicago Bears appear set on their path.
Allbright is among the more accurate insiders in the business. He had the Los Angeles Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh a full month before anybody else. His connections are strong. So him saying the Bears have no interest in moving off the #1 spot says everything. It means Poles fully intends to reset the quarterback clock with a player of his choosing. That player appears to be Caleb Williams. It also means Fields will be traded at some point in March or April, securing the Bears a probable 2nd round pick.
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This may anger some fans, but it isn’t a surprise. Poles gave Fields two full seasons to show he had the necessary traits to be a long-term guy. Yes, the circumstances weren’t ideal. He didn’t have a great supporting cast in 2022 and his coaching was never ideal either. Still, the lack of consistency as a passer combined with securing that #1 pick sealed his fate. He will have to try reviving his career elsewhere. It appears the Chicago Bears intend to forge a new destiny with Williams.
