Ryan Poles proved in free agency and 2023 NFL Draft that Justin Fields is his guy

During the 2022 offseason, there was a theory that new Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles wanted his own quarterback, not the guy he inherited from Ryan Pace’s regime.

That theory’s advocates used Poles’ lack of off-season activity last year to support their claim. He didn’t add any impact players on offense, either through free agency or the draft, and appeared content with backups playing as starters. Was he purposely setting up Justin Fields to fail so he could select his own guy?

What a difference a year makes.

Exhibit A: The Trade

The Chicago Bears entered the 2023 offseason with the first overall pick. Indeed, if Poles wanted to draft his guy, he now had the chance to do it. Instead, the second-year GM traded the first choice to the Carolina Panthers. It was a sad day for the anti-Fields crowd.

And just in case there was still anyone who doubted Poles’ commitment to Fields? He made sure the Panthers added one of the NFL’s top young wide receivers to the trade: DJ Moore.

Poles’ insistence on Moore being part of the trade was concrete evidence that not only did he think Fields gave the Chicago Bears the best chance to win in the short and long term but that it was his responsibility to make sure a player as talented as his quarterback had all the support he needed to thrive.

Exhibit B: Free Agency

Poles could’ve moved on from the help-Fields agenda after that trade. Instead, it remained a priority in free agency.

The Chicago Bears signed former Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis in March. He’s widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top interior offensive linemen. They added another pass-catcher in tight end Robert Tonyan, the former Green Bay Packer who racked up 11 touchdowns just two seasons ago. Running back D’Onta Foreman was inked to help ease the rushing burden that Justin Fields was forced to carry on his own in spurts during the 2022 season.

Still, some big-media analysts believed Ryan Poles wasn’t all-in on Fields. Then came the 2023 NFL Draft.

Exhibit C: 2023 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears spent their first-round pick — Poles’ first as an NFL general manager — on arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft. Why? See above: this offseason has been all about helping Fields.

Because he’s their guy.

And that was never in doubt inside Halas Hall.

Poles wasn’t done there. He selected a wide receiver in the fourth round, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, whom many thought would go in the late second or early third. He added another skill player in running back Roschon Johnson, too, whose best trait might be his pass protection skills.

The Verdict: Justin Fields is Ryan Poles’ QB

At this point, one thing has become very clear: Justin Fields is Ryan Poles’ guy. Poles has given his quarterback everything he needs to succeed in his pivotal third year in the NFL.

The Chicago Bears, on paper, should be a playoff team in a weak conference. At the very least, they should have a season like the 2022 Detroit Lions: fighting for a playoff berth until the very last game. They added a receiver who put up three straight 1,200-yard seasons with quarterbacks PJ Walker, Sam Darnold, the shell of Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, and Kyle Allen. They’ve objectively improved the offensive line with enough talent to be league average at minimum. They’ve made significant investments on defense, the Bears should be better at stopping their opponents from dropping 30 or more points.

If Justin Fields is truly a franchise quarterback, if the struggles he’s had so far were largely the result of poor coaching (rookie year) and lack of talent around him (sophomore year), then 2023 should be his clear breakout season.

Whether he succeeds or fails, one thing at least is certain: Ryan Poles believes in him and has given him every chance to have a great third season in the NFL.