Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles would not rule out the possibility of the team drafting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and trading Justin Fields.
The Bears locked up the No. 1 pick in the ’23 Draft after the Houston Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18.
Poles met with the Chicago media earlier this week and was asked whether he would consider using the pick on a quarterback and Poles didn’t exactly rule out that scenario, saying:
“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done. We’re going to evaluate the draft class, and I would say this: I’d have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”
Fields made a huge leap in his second year, both as a passer and a runner. He threw for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while also accounting for 1,143 yards on the ground, the second most for an NFL quarterback, behind Lamar Jackson’s 1,206 in 2019.
“I thought Justin did a good job,” Poles noted. “I thought we changed a lot, we adapted, we tried to put him in a position to be successful. He showed the ability to be a playmaker, 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 as we move forward.”
