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.
Totally irrelevant article since Fields wasn’t drafted last year. Sure he can decide if the next “1st round pick “ is in defense, but in those other situations the pick came the next year. Poles used his first picks (two second rounders) on Defense.
When we pick, if Jalen Carter is available, I would run to the podium unless someone is offering to overpay for us to trade down. I think Carter can perform close to Aaron Donald of the rams. He would make the entire team better if that happens. Regardless, I am sure Poles will go best player available. I also expect a couple of trade downs to add more picks. We have too many needs.
Oh, so, because the HC is “a defensive guy” he is probably blind to offensive needs…just like there is no way a 2nd yr QB can develop with “a defensive guy” as his new HC.
We gotta stop with all the Orlando Brown talk plz. Why pay a glorified RT top LT money? Don’t you think there’s a reason that KC offered him a contract structured in the way it was? E Jenkins at LG, RG or RT on the other hand is a Must.
I like BPA with a caveat. If you can get someone to overpay for a trade down to get multiple first rounders or an extra second and a third I say pull the trigger. In making the selection I’d also prefer to target expensive (to resign) positions. This means DE, #1 WR, LT, etc. We need to come away with blue chip players at DT and DE to add to a FA DT like Payne. I’m ok with waiting till the 2nd to add a speed WR with hands or a big nasty RT. Later rounds are ok for OG,… Read more »