Bears to draft QB with #1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft? GM Ryan Poles gives insight into team's plans
The Chicago Bears are now on the clock. The Bears lost ten straight to finish 3-14 in the 2022 NFL season.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke to the media as part of the postseason media availability and was asked what he is looking for in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The 2023 NFL Draft will likely see the quarterback be drafted first, which now appears to be Alabama's Bryce Young. But with quarterback Justin Fields, who just finished his second NFL season, would Chicago be interested in drafting another quarterback in the first round?
Ryan Poles: I'd have to be "absolutely blown away" to take a QB at No. 1. wp.me/pbBqYq-cvmJ
Poles said that while he would need to be "blown away" by the quarterback to draft one in the first round just two years after drafting Fields. The 37-year-old reckons that he will evaluate all positions on his team as well as during the draft process to get the best possible players for his team.
Poles said that while he is happy with Fields at quarterback, there will need to be some improvement made in his passing game. But overall, Poles seemed confident that he can build a good team around Justin Fields in the future.
"I thought Justin did a good job...he showed the ability to be a playmaker, be impactful, he can change games quickly," said Poles.
Bears QB Justin Fields changes focus to breaking passing record
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields was less than 100 yards away from breaking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's rushing record. While Fields didn't play in Week 18 due to an injury, breaking the rushing record wasn't of interest to the 23-year-old quarterback.
The Bears have
Justin Fields
The No. 1 overall pick
The most cap space
And were 1-7 in one-score games before today.
See you in the playoffs next year.
#dabears
Fields said that while breaking the record would have been an achievement, he isn't focused on the record books as of right now. But, he said, as a quarterback, he doesn't want the rushing record, but a passing record.
“It’s a rushing record and I’m a quarterback. Of course it would’ve been cool to have, but I’m not really into records like that. If there was one record I’d like to break, it’d be a passing record, so we’ll see if we can get that done in the near future," said Justin Fields.
Fields' comments come just around the same time as general manager Ryan Poles said that working on the quarterback's passing game is the main goal for the future.
So, clearly, Chicago's offense will look to feature more of an air game next season. Perhaps adding some additional offensive weapons will also be on their minds for the upcoming draft.