It sounds like Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles will keep Justin Fields as his starting quarterback through this year’s NFL Draft and the offseason.
Poles spoke with NBC Sports’ Peter King during the NFL combine, and King wrote in his latest “Football Morning in America” column that it’s now “clear” the executive is “not trading Fields” and is “not picking a quarterback high in this draft.” The Bears own the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, and both ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport have reported Chicago will likely trade that selection to a quarterback-needy team.
Poles previously remarked during the combine that keeping Fields atop his depth chart until further notice was “the plan, right now.” In a mock draft shared on Feb. 28, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the Houston Texans ultimately will move up to No. 1 to take Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Bryce Young.
“When we started to adjust and adapt to what he did well, and he started running the ball a little bit, we saw a very unique and special ability and talent that can change the game,” Poles told King about Fields. “Now that next piece in terms of being an efficient passer is what we need to get to. I’ve been open about that. We’ve talked about it with Justin. He knows. Can he be more clear-minded when he plays, where he can just play loose because he knows where he’s gonna go with the ball? I do think there’s potential that we have something really good, and to me, you’ve got to see it through.”
As noted by ESPN stats, Fields finished this past regular season seventh in the entire NFL with 1,143 rushing yards. He contributed eight rushing touchdowns and 17 passing scores with 11 interceptions in 15 games. However, the 24-year-old was last among qualified quarterbacks with an average of 149.5 passing yards per contest and 32nd out of 34 players with a 60.4% completion percentage.
As for when Poles could sell the draft’s top choice, he suggested a transaction could be finalized before free agency and the new league year on March 15. He also hinted, though, that he could wait until the first day of the draft on April 27 to pull the trigger on what he hopes is a monster deal.
“I’m not greedy with it,” Poles told King. “But they’re gonna have to go above and beyond to close the door now.”
