Biggest takeaways from Ryan Poles' media session at NFL Combine

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles held his media session at the 2024 NFL Combine on Tuesday, and while he didn't outright say what his plan is at quarterback, he gave us some clues about which direction he's leaning in.

Poles started his session addressing the ongoing contract negotiations with cornerback Jaylon Johnson, saying he feels good about a long-term deal coming together. Poles did warn that it takes two sides to get a deal done, but it sounds like he expects a resolution before being forced to use the franchise tag, something he said he hopes to avoid.

The bigger topic of discussion, however, centered around his looming decision at quarterback: Keep Justin Fields or select Caleb Williams with the first overall pick.

Poles didn't provide any direct answers -- no one expected him to -- but some breadcrumbs were left behind.

It sounds like the Bears are leaning toward trading Justin Fields

The closest Ryan Poles came to telling us what the Chicago Bears plan to do at quarterback was when he expressed empathy for Justin Fields. He emphasized that he wants "to do right" by Fields and that "no one wants to live in the grey."

Translation? He wants to get a Fields trade done soon out of respect for Justin and the leader he's proven to be over the first three seasons in the league. Poles has consistently expressed his admiration for Fields the person, and while he may look to upgrade over Fields the football player, he's still acting with respect for Fields' future.

Kudos to Poles for being a 'good guy' in what's generally a ruthless business. And if you're a pro-Fields Bears fan? Sorry, this isn't good news for you.

Ryan Poles has no concern over Caleb Williams playing in Chicago

One of the big concerns surrounding Caleb Williams coming to Chicago is whether he has the personality to handle the pressure of being the Bears quarterback.

The media is tough; Bears fans can be tougher. Williams had a quirky 2023 season, which included a public display of emotion (crying) after a loss to Washington. Whether you think that's a weakness or a strength is up to you, but the questions about whether Williams can handle the Windy City are at least reasonable.

However, Poles said Tuesday that he has no concerns over Williams playing in Chicago.

"No concerns about that at all," Poles said. "I would love to know why, if that was the case. Like I said, I think as a young quarterback, and I’ve been around it, the infrastructure is important, and I think we’ve made really good progress in terms of having really good infrastructure for whoever were to come in or if Justin were to stay here as well."

So, let's add up what we know so far: 1) Poles wants to do right by Justin Fields and not live in the grey when it comes to a potential trade (certainly sounds like a trade is coming), and 2) Poles has no concerns over Caleb Williams playing in Chicago.

I don't know about you, but it sounds like we're drifting closer to an answer, aren't we?

Bears haven't had any 'big-time' conversations about trading the top pick

Ryan Poles said Tuesday that the Chicago Bears haven't had any "big-time" conversations about trading the first overall pick. At least, not yet. 

He said there's at least some interest, which began during the 2024 Senior Bowl. But, a big-time conversation? Not yet.

"We were at the Senior Bowl," Poles said. "I know people were kind of poking around. I haven’t had like big-time conversations with anyone. But everyone wants to take the temperature of what’s going on.”

Maybe quarterback-needy teams are still doing their due diligence on Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. Perhaps we're too early in the NFL Draft calendar to have the parameters of a blockbuster trade in place. But it didn't take long after the NFL Combine for the Bears to trade the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, which suggests the temperature around the Bears trading out of the top pick this year is a bit cooler.

Poles did say conversations are beginning to ramp up, so maybe a Godfather offer ends up presenting itself after all. But Poles confirmed that any first-round trade has to "help (the Bears) significantly," referencing last year's trade as a model.

Ryan Poles isn't in a rush to settle Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears fans want an answer to the Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams debate but don't expect one to come (really) soon.

"I would love to know as soon as possible," Poles said Tuesday. "I would love to know but I know that's not how the process works. Sure, before free agency would be good. 

"Like I said, I'm also taking, if we were to do something with Justin, I want to do right by him and I know, again, living in that grey space, we would want to do something sooner rather than later. But just like when I talk about contracts, it takes two teams to figure that out, but at the same time, we're also trying to figure out the draft process as well. There's a lot of things with different timelines going and that's what makes it a little difficult."

Poles understands locker room impact of trading Justin Fields

Veteran players like DJ Moore and Jaquan Brisker have openly expressed their support for Justin Fields returning as the team's quarterback in 2024, and Ryan Poles is aware of it.

He also knows his job is to do what's best for the Chicago Bears, and that the locker room will adjust to whatever decision he makes.

"It’s my job to think of the long term and a lot of our guys kind of don’t see that," Poles said. "It’s not their job to do that, and they defend their guy, which I think speaks volumes about our culture in that locker room.”

This certainly feels like another clue about his QB plan, doesn't it?