-
Courtney Cronin, ESPN writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Bowles said Tuesday he has “no master plan” to reveal to the NFL about the team’s quarterback decision but he understands the amount of uncertainty for Justin Fields and wants to move “as quickly as possible.” as possible.”
The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second straight offseason and will choose between keeping Fields or selecting a quarterback in the draft. The Poles have not ruled out trading the 24-year-old midfielder, a move he said could happen before free agency begins next month.
“It just depends on the opportunities that arise,” Poles said. “I'll say this, I think you guys know me pretty well now, if we go down this path, I want to do right by Justin too. No one wants to live in grey, I know it's uncomfortable. I won't. I want to be in that situation too.” Therefore, we will collect information – and we will act as quickly as possible, [but] “We won't be in a rush – let's see what presents itself and what's best for the organization.”
Poles was adamant that he wanted to know what direction the Bears would go at quarterback soon.
“Tomorrow,” the general manager said. This was not an exaggeration.
“No, I would like to know as soon as possible,” said the Poles. “I would like to know, but I know that's not how the process works. Certainly, before free agency is a good thing. Like I said, I also take, if we want to do something with Justin, I want to do the right thing by him and I know Again, we're living in that gray space, and we want to do something sooner rather than later. But like I talk about contracts, it takes two teams to figure that out, but at the same time, we're also trying to figure out the draft process as well. There's a lot of different things with different timelines and that's what makes it a little difficult.
Poles and the rest of the Bears' front office and coaching staff will meet with the draft's consensus top prospect, USC's Caleb Williams, and other quarterbacks this week in Indianapolis. The Director-General stressed that getting to know the personalities of potential candidates and their “wires” is one of the most important things he hopes to take away from the interview process at the complex.
When asked about the idea that Williams or the quarterback's representatives didn't want the Heisman Trophy winner to play in Chicago, Poles said he had “no concerns about that at all.”
“I would like to know why, if so,” Bowles said. “I think as a young quarterback, and I've been through this, infrastructure is important, and I think we've made really good progress in terms of having a really good infrastructure for whoever comes in or if Justin stays. Here as well.”
Poles also addressed contract negotiations with second-team All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The Poles made it clear in January that the team intended to do a deal for Johnson and that it hoped to avoid using the franchise tag and sign the 24-year-old linebacker to a long-term deal.
Poles said: “The talks are going well at this time.” “We feel like we did a really good job of coming to the table solid and showing the respect he deserves just in terms of his production over his career and really focusing on the turnovers he had last year. Our expectation is that this is going to continue to go the way it has with the Bears.”
“When I say come in strong, it means the cash flows are strong, the collateral is strong, and the term is strong for him; given his age, there's a really good chance he can get back into the market again and continue to make money and play well. And I hope that continues with the Bears for a long time.” “It takes two people to tango and you have to find a place where everyone feels comfortable, so I feel good about that situation.”
