One thing about Ryan Poles that has become apparent early in his tenure is he’s fair. If he senses a player has the potential to be really good, he’ll allow them an opportunity to prove it. Cole Kmet is a perfect example. The new Chicago Bears GM didn’t draft the tight end, but he kept an open mind going into last season. Kmet played well, and Poles rewarded him with a new contract. The same leeway was afforded to Justin Fields. His 2022 wasn’t perfect, but he made a lot of plays under difficult circumstances.
That was enough to convince Poles the quarterback deserves another year, this time with a stronger supporting cast. He went and got D.J. Moore as a legitimate #1 receiver. Nate Davis and Darnell Wright came in to bolster the offensive line. Robert Tonyan provides another target at tight end. The Bears did their part. Now it’s on Fields to make it work. Poles stated his primary expectations for this season.
“Win more games.”
It sounds simple, but that is the honest truth with Fields.
Quarterbacks can’t win by themselves, but good ones tend to find a way. Fields is 5-20 in his first two years with the Bears. Not all of that is his fault. Even so, his lack of development as a passer is hard to ignore. Poles went into further details about what he needs to see.
“Progress. I can’t tell you how many boxes need to be checked. I always think your gut instinct is always going to be a part of decision-making as well. So all of the above. You’re looking for progress to feel good about it and also to watch the tape and get a feel for a guy if he can take you to that next level…
…Just to continue to improve. Want those sack numbers to come down, interceptions to come down. Make good reads, protect himself, just see him take that next step.”
Ryan Poles made one thing clear.
His patience is a finite resource. This season feels like a do-or-die one for Fields. He doesn’t need to play like a superstar, but he does need to look like a competent passer. Through 27 career games, the quarterback has thrown 21 interceptions and been sacked 91 times. This doesn’t account for his 28 fumbles as well. There is no getting around the fact that he’s done a poor job protecting himself and the football. If he wants to climb the ladder into the NFL elite, both problems must be solved.
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It is important to remember Ryan Poles has no obligation to keep Fields. He wasn’t the one who drafted the quarterback. His efforts the past two off-seasons were about improving the entire team, not strictly building around Fields. While the GM believes the 24-year-old has improved, it hasn’t been enough. Don’t forget Poles has two 1st round picks stashed away for the 2024 draft next year. He is perfectly positioned to go hunting for a new quarterback if he has to.
Fields controls his own destiny. There will be no more blaming the scheme or the supporting cast. Both have been addressed. It’s on him now.
