Ryan Poles needed information. Before he could determine how to rebuild the Chicago Bears, the new GM had to determine if a quarterback would be high on his list of needs. That is why the evaluation of Justin Fields this season is so critical. If the quarterback had flopped, it might have forced Poles to prepare for alternatives. Thankfully that isn’t a concern. Fields has 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in his past six games and is on pace to finish with over 1,000 rushing yards. His evolution is a constant source of excitement inside and outside Halas Hall.
That creates an interesting scenario for the Bears. With quarterback off the table, people wonder which direction Poles may go in the 1st round of the 2023 NFL draft. This is a potential crossroads for the 36-year-old. Chicago has developed a trend over the past quarter century. Each of the past three times prior to 2021, where they selected a 1st round quarterback, their next 1st round pick always went to the defense.
Admittedly the decisions weren’t bad from a talent perspective. Those selections ended up being Brian Urlacher (2000), Tommie Harris (2004), and Roquan Smith (2018). All good or great players. The problem is it becomes difficult to make a quarterback successful if you don’t invest in him. Keep in mind the Bears also took defensive players in the 2nd round of two of those three drafts—one offensive player in six swings.
Ryan Poles has a chance to break that trend.
Fields is playing great lately, but it’s still apparent how undermanned the Bears’ offense is. They have so many holes on the roster. The offensive line can’t pass protect. Most of the wide receivers can’t get consistently open. A quarterback can’t reach his full potential without help. A team can’t contend consistently every year without a quarterback playing his best. Poles knows this. He saw it develop in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes. Yes, the defense needs lots of help too. That can wait. Safeguarding Fields is the top priority.
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Whether Ryan Poles reaches that conclusion will depend on some key variables: what he does in free agency, where the Bears pick in the 1st round, and how hard head coach Matt Eberflus (a defensive guy) pushes to get that side of the ball more help. Early projections have multiple offensive linemen and wide receivers going in the top 15 picks next spring. Nobody would or should bat an eye at Poles if he decides to take one of them.
