Ryan Poles saying all the right things at 2023 NFL Combine

If one thing was abundantly clear after Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles met with at the 2023 NFL Combine Tuesday, he’s thrilled to have the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.

Poles emphasized the flexibility holding the first selection gives the Bears, even going so far as to say Chicago may — or may not — trade out.

“In a vacuum, yeah, moving back gives you more opportunities to get more players and add to the core of this team,” Poles said. “At the same time, if we have someone that is so high and in a special category that says, this guy is going to affect our team both from a culture standpoint and from a gameday standpoint, then that might be the best thing to do.”

Ryan Poles knows Bears are more than one player away

Poles may only be in his second year as a general manager, but he’s playing the NFL draft game like a master. The best way the Bears can drive up the asking price for the No. 1 pick is by making other teams believe Chicago will keep it. Unless, of course, they’re blown away by an offer.

Still, trading back appears to be Ryan Poles’ top priority.

“It just depends how far back,” Poles said of trading out of No. 1 overall. “But yeah, we need a lot, and that gives us more opportunity to bring in more players. It’s a good situation to be in for where our club is.”

The good news is the Chicago Bears don’t need a quarterback — Poles reaffirmed his commitment to Justin Fields Tuesday — and with Bryce Young headlining a desirable class of quarterback prospects, the cost for quarterback-needy teams to swap picks with the Bears is at the top of the market.

Ryan Poles is the king of the NFL offseason.