Ryan Pace was notorious for giving nothing away in regard to his draft intentions. He seemed to take an intense satisfaction in keeping everybody in the dark about anything and everything. That is how you get bombshell moments like the trade up for Mitch Trubisky or taking Leonard Floyd in the top 10. One thing is clear. His replacement, Ryan Poles, doesn’t have such impulses. The Chicago Bears GM has his secrets, to be sure, but make no mistake. When something appears obvious to everybody, he isn’t afraid to address it head on.
Last year, he openly stated the Bears had interest in trading the #1 pick. That ended up happening. This year, everybody seems to think Poles plans to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with that same #1 pick. Poles stood in front of the media for the first time since the scouting combine in Orlando, Floria, at the annual Owners Meetings. When asked about Williams, his comments were more than a little telling about his impressions. It appears the young QB has the exact personality he’s looking for, in addition to his obvious talent.
Ryan Poles isn’t even bothering with deception at this point.
Let’s be honest. He doesn’t have to. Chicago holds the #1 overall pick. Nobody in the league can jump in front of them for Williams. Poles is free to talk about who he is probably going to take without any fear. The only thing that does is remove any mystery for the cameras once the draft starts next month. That isn’t his problem. He’s only focused on taking the best player for his franchise. These comments further cement what everybody already believes. Williams will be the Bears’ next quarterback.
One thing Ryan Poles did make clear was the decision to move on from Justin Fields had nothing to do with the incoming draft class. It was purely business-related. FIelds only had one cheap year left on his contract. Drafting somebody would give the Bears four more years of affordable quarterback play. It is a simple case of Fields running out of time. Evaluating Williams and the other quarterbacks in this draft class were against each other, not him. Whatever the case, it appears the Bears have the guy they want, both on and off the field.
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Jim Jones- Nice post. Unfortunately it’s not going to help the 2 on here that keep repeating they want everyone to commit to Caleb rookie year win projections. We have discussed on here a ton on what we think yet they still say no one gives them answers?!? But the even funnier part is they preach it’s a team and a QB isn’t the only one that wins the game and we haven’t even had a draft yet but they still want win projections!!
Here is CBS Sports take on 2024 win totals. I would take the over on 8.5. Haven’t seen anyone say 10+ wins. I know that’s been said on here as a means of expectation for a rookie in his 1st year or it’s a disappointment. I think at this point if you say 10+ wins you are just wanting to justify your disappointment because Justin was shipped. That would not have been the outside expectation with him. At all.
Honestly, I’d much rather have a QB coached by Harbaugh, than Riley. McCarthy’s footwork is the best in the draft.
Caleb and his team were smart to script his pro day with passes while in the pocket. He also seems like the kind of guy that will take to Waldron’s coaching.
DrJB.. I didn’t say he would be great. I said he would easily out perform JF. Which wouldn’t take a “great” QB. Just an above average one 🙂. Also, he lead a BAD team to a winning record last year. JF took a bad team to an 11-28 record… I do personally believe CW will be a star. It’s obviously more hope than a guarantee. U ppl that talk about him skipping his bowl game are funny. If skipping a bowl game is an issue then 75% of the top 50-60 players coming into the draft are off your draft… Read more »
@sam I do think it is far short of a guarantee that CW will be great. Until he does something, we can’t just wish it into reality. Don’t forget he led his team to a mediocre 7-5 record last year and sat out the bowl game. I don’t respect sitting out the bowl game. His backup outplayed any game Williams played in that bowl game. That just means that Riley’s system can make anyone look good. If the Bears pick him, I hope they get better. If they don’t, then I think Eberflues and Poles have to depart. That won’t… Read more »