WATCH: Ryan Poles says Bears have been clear and honest with Justin Fields

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles met with the media Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine and provided an update on the team’s ongoing quarterback decision.

The debate between sticking with Justin Fields or moving on with Caleb Williams as the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is far from over, even though it feels like the Bears are leaning toward turning the offense over to Williams.

During his media session, Poles said that he wants to be fair and transparent with Fields and that he doesn’t want to drag out this “grey area” for long. He sounded a lot like a general manager who’s about to trade his starting quarterback.

Poles sat down with CBS Sports” Jonathan Jones and emphasized the importance of ensuring Fields is respected through the process. He said the Chicago Bears have been as clear and transparent as possible so far.

“You wanna be absolutely transparent with these guys and let them know where they stand… [Justin Fields] means a lot to us. He means a lot to me.”

– Bears GM Ryan Poles to @jjones9 pic.twitter.com/8oeRQt5HAN

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 27, 2024

Ryan Poles didn’t stop there. He outlined what he wants to hear from prospects like Williams and Drake Maye, the 2024 NFL Draft prospects most likely to replace Fields as the Bears” quarterback, over the next several days at the Scouting Combine.

“It’s dependability,” Poles said. “I think it’s one thing we don’t talk about enough, is dependability. Can you trust that person to be at the lead table of your roster and your organization, because I feel like that’s one of the more important factors. The other thing is how you lead, and really it comes down to … I just want guys to be authentic and be themselves so you get an understanding of what the person is like on a daily basis.”

Poles emphasized that the Bears won’t have a lot of time with each of the top quarterback prospects, but he said that the 20 minutes they do get with each player helps put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Again, doesn’t this sound like a general manager who’s about to trade the incumbent and is eager to learn as much as possible about the guy who’s likely to replace him?

I imagine we’ll see a Justin Fields trade take place within the next week or two, ending the Chicago Bears fan civil war and focusing our attention on Caleb Williams as the next candidate who will try to end this franchise’s quarterback curse.