Justin Fields expresses confidence in GM Ryan Poles ahead of critical Bears offseason

Despite finishing the 2022 NFL season with a 3-14 record, optimism around the Chicago Bears remains. There’s good reason for it, too.

First, the Bears have Justin Fields at quarterback. He’s one of the NFL’s brightest young superstars at the game’s most critical position. He proved in 2022 that as long as he’s healthy, the Bears have a chance to win. Remarkably, he proved that with a roster that requires upgrades at nearly every position.

Second, Chicago will enter 2023’s free agency period with the most money to spend. General manager Ryan Poles will have little competition in bidding wars and can sign whoever he sets his heart on.

Finally, the Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s the golden ticket for any offseason, especially when the club that owns it already has its franchise quarterback in place. Chicago will get better on draft weekend, and it will be because of whatever haul Poles gets back in a blockbuster trade.

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2023 offseason is critical to Justin Fields’ long-term outlook

Fields knows the 2023 offseason will be critical to the Bears’ and his short- and long-term future. On Monday, he expressed confidence in Poles to do what’s necessary to level up Chicago’s roster.

“I know Ryan has a great understanding of what needs to be done around here, what holes we might need to fill and stuff like that,” Fields said Monday. “That’s not my job to control any of that. Whatever he needs me to do in terms of recruiting, I’m sure we’re going to have that conversation here in a bit.”

Fields’ ability to recruit soon-to-be free agents this offseason will be almost as important as his ability to make big plays was during the 2022 regular season. Money, of course, is the priority for most free agents, but veterans also care about winning. And the best way they can position themselves to win a lot of games is to align with an up-and-coming superstar quarterback.

Justin Fields is that guy.

“So, whatever he’s going to do, I fully trust him,” Fields said of Poles. “His goal is to make the best team he can for us. I know he’s going to do a great job of that. We’re going to get better and work in the offseason.”

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