Ryan Poles says he’d have to be ‘blown away’ to draft QB with No. 1 pick

If Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields proved anything in 2022, it’s that he’s one of the game’s elite playmakers at the position. He has room to grow as a passer, but entering his second offseason in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system, growth is expected.

Fields will be the Bears’ quarterback in 2023 and for the foreseeable future. Despite some outlets doing their best to generate clicks by suggesting general manager Ryan Poles should trade Fields and select Alabama’s Bryce Young with the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Poles said Tuesday in the team’s end-of-year press conference that the odds of that happening are slim.

“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done, evaluate the draft class,” Poles said Tuesday of scouting this year’s quarterbacks. “I will say this. I’d have to be absolutely blown away to make that decision.”

Let that sink in. The Bears’ general manager confirmed he’d have to be “absolutely blown away” by a quarterback prospect to consider moving on from Fields.

2023 NFL Draft won’t offer Bears upgrade at QB

While a promising quarterback prospect, Bryce Young is undersized and not nearly as athletic as Justin Fields. Perhaps he’s a more advanced passer at this point in his development, but he brings fewer playmaking traits, and his ceiling is significantly lower than Fields’. The end result? He won’t “blow away” Poles, and the Bears won’t be selecting him.

“He showed he can a playmaker,” Poles said of Fields. “Be impactful. He can change games quickly. Does he have room to grow? He does. He has to get better as a passer. And I’m excited to see him take those steps.”

Those steps will come with time spent working with Chase Claypool and the rest of the Bears receivers this offseason. Reinforcements are also expected to come via free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago will build its roster around Fields.

“We’re excited about his development,” Poles said of Fields. “He showed ability to be impactful with his legs. There are flashes with his arm. Now if we can put that together, we’ll have something.”

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