CHICAGO – For the second year in a row, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles controls the NFL Draft.
He can hold court at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
He can consider potential offers if other GMs are willing.
He can tell teams to get back to him.
He can play hardball.
Again. Again. And again.
Poles can do this with multiple teams while continuing to learn more about the best quarterbacks in the 2024 draft. He is the leader. It's his design.
Again.
The Bears secured the No. 1 pick thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars' win over the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals' stunning win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. This gives Poles a great opportunity to transform the Bears' roster not only for 2024, but potentially for the next decade if the right moves and decisions are made.
The Polish team is 7-9 in its second season and has one game left against the rival Green Bay Packers. But there are signs that a turnaround is coming for the Bears, including what happened in Sunday's 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field.
“The guys, we’re getting closer and closer, and you can see it,” said security officer Jaquan Brisker. “That’s why I say you just have to keep groups like this together and see what happens. I feel like something special is going to happen.”
When it comes to the No. 1 pick, the Bears' offseason decision-making starts with quarterback Justin Fields. He had one of his best games of the season against the Falcons: 20 of 32 passes, 268 yards, one touchdown and three sacks for a 99.5 passer rating. He also ran for 45 yards and a 9-yard score on 11 carries.
GO DEEPER
A look at the Bears' defensive turnaround under Matt Eberflus
Fields' teammates heard chants of “We want Justin!” from fans at Soldier Field.
“Of course I heard them,” Brisker said. “I want Justin. We all want Justin. Let's go!”
“I heard those chants,” receiver DJ Moore said. “And I know the (front office) box is right there. So I know they heard that too.”
Fields has the locker room. Nobody should question that. His grip on it only grew stronger on Sunday. This is a factor that Poles and his staff will need to consider when considering any scenario for the Bears and the first pick.
But after Sunday, the scenario in which the Bears trade the pick for another big gain certainly has more validity.
The Poles traded the first pick in the 2023 draft to the Panthers on March 10, not long after the combination was completed. His haul was impressive: the No. 9 and 61 selections in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and a No. 1 receiver in Moore.
The Bears traded and converted those picks into right tackle Darnell Wright and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who became starters as rookies. Stevenson made two interceptions against the Falcons and has four this season.
Then there's Moore. In his first season with the Bears, he set new career highs in receiving yards and touchdown receptions.
“I felt like I was the No. 1 overall pick even though I went 24th in the draft,” Moore said. “But look, coming here, it felt like No. 1 overall.”
Coach Matt Eberflus considers the Bears' Week 5 win over the Washington Commanders a turning point for his team, particularly on defense. Since then, the Bears have had one of the best units in the league. Various defensive statistics demonstrate this progress. The Bears are 7-5 since Week 5.
Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke seemed overwhelmed against the Bears defense, and he should have been. Heinicke was 10 of 29 passing for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, for a passer rating of 26.1.
Desmond Ridder replaced Heinicke late in the fourth quarter and was promptly intercepted by Stevenson. Linebacker TJ Edwards and nickelback Kyler Gordon also had interceptions. Rookie defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, a second-round pick by the Poles, had two sacks.
The mood is good. Cigars were shared in the locker room.
“Absolutely, if the wins come along,” Fields said. “And just the camaraderie of the team.”
GO DEEPER
Greenberg: In Chicago, 2023 wasn't a successful year, but it was a busy one
Poles wasn't blown away by last year's rookie quarterback class, which started with Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. That could change this offseason, especially given Stroud's success this year as a rookie for the Houston Texans.
The Bears have prepared for this situation. It's the pivot option that Poles created for his team by trading the first pick to the Panthers. That's why the organization thoroughly scouted top quarterbacks, namely USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye.
But trading the first pick for a huge haul could be the more attractive option, especially if Fields' progress is something the Poles and the team are starting to believe in. Fields still has a wow factor about him. One example is his third-and-8 scramble in the third quarter, where he broke two tackles against the blitzers in the backfield.
“It’s just Houdini at work again,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.
“He makes plays like the Lamar Jacksons and Patrick Mahomes, and those guys don't overdo it like they would with other quarterbacks,” defensive end Montez Sweat said. “I’m glad he’s on my side.”
Poles know that this season has been a roller coaster ride that will soon end. All the work of the fields must be taken into account. His passing numbers are not among the best in the league. At the very least, picking up his fifth-year option for 2025 seems like a bad business move since it would be fully guaranteed.
GO DEEPER
NFL Week 17 Takeaways: What are the Eagles missing? What should the Bears do with the No. 1 pick in the draft?
By trading the first pick, the Poles could fill several gaps in offense and defense with first-class players. A top-10 defense could quickly turn into a top-3 unit. Fields could throw to Moore and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. next season.
Moving the first pick could also give the Bears a potential pivot for the 2025 draft if they secure an additional first-rounder this year – which they should – and Fields doesn't develop into one of the best QBs in the game next season League developed.
There is so much to think about and discuss.
“I don’t think we’ll pick tomorrow,” Eberflus joked.
But Poles and the Bears already have a lot to think about. They know they are.
(Photo of Khalil Herbert and Justin Fields: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
“The Football 100,” the definitive ranking of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time, is in stores now. Order it here.