Bears GM Ryan Poles feigns suspense
around No. 1 pick: 'Tune in Thursday'
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 [April 24, 2024]
Bears general manager Ryan Poles knows the identity of the
No. 1 overall pick, but two days before the 2024 NFL Draft, he's not
quite ready to share.
"We know what we're going to do," Poles said Tuesday at a pre-draft
press conference. "Everyone's gotta tune in on Thursday to watch."
The Bears hold the No. 1 pick via a trade with the Carolina Panthers
and draft night in Detroit will bring Poles' two-year plan to
fruition when quarterback Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner
in 2022, likely becomes the third player drafted first overall in
Chicago's storied history.
Beyond the ever-present smoke around the Bears and Williams, there
are other reasons the majority opinion holds merit. Chicago has only
two quarterbacks on the current depth chart -- undrafted Tyson
Bagent and journeyman backup Brett Rypien -- making the position a
massive need.
"We're proud of where we've come from," Poles said. "It's going to
be hard to make this team now."
When Poles traded the No. 1 pick to the Panthers weeks before the
2023 draft and received a 2024 first-rounder as part of the return
package, he said the prevailing thought was to be in position to
draft a quarterback should 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields not
prove he's worthy of the QB1 role.
Leadership changes in personnel and top coaching spots often drive
decisions to move on from quarterbacks drafted by previous regimes.
Fields, drafted 11th overall when then-GM Ryan Pace and the Bears
moved up from No. 20 in a deal with the New York Giants, was traded
to the Steelers last month to be the backup to Russell Wilson in
Pittsburgh.
The new brass has tracked Williams incessantly.
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Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron
and other members of the organization have spent countless hours to
reach this point. The Bears met with Williams at the NFL Scouting
Combine -- where Eberflus offers prospects the option of playing
darts or putt-putt before the more intensive interview begins --
before his pro day workout (where new Bears wide receiver Keenan
Allen made an appearance) and were the only team to host Williams at
team headquarters for a "top 30" visit.
"The journey to collect all the information is different for
everyone," Poles said. "There's guys on our board that are high that
didn't come in for a 30-visit that we've had other touchpoints. Our
networks in the building know the player inside and out that we
really, really trust."
Poles called reports the Bears are shopping the No. 9 overall pick
speculation and said he doesn't feel the need to make a trade to add
picks despite holding an NFL-low four selections over seven rounds.
"I feel really good with where we're at," Poles said.
--Field Level Media
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