Bears general manager Ryan Poles met with the Chicago media Tuesday in his end-of-year press conference. And it was easily the least infuriating EOY presser that fans have experienced in some time.
Head coach Matt Eberflus was there, too. And he did have some notable tidbits, including how he wouldn’t rule out changes to his coaching staff. But this presser was all about Poles.
Poles was asked about everything from the No. 1 overall pick to his plans in free agency to players who impressed in a brutal 2022 season. But the topic everyone is talking about is quarterback Justin Fields.
Poles praised Fields while noting he needs to improve as a passer. While he said Fields is the starting quarterback moving forward, he also didn’t completely rule out drafting a quarterback first overall. But it’s all in the name of adding value to that No. 1 pick heading into the pre-draft process.
Twitter had plenty to say following Poles’ roughly 30 minute press conference, including how he handled all of the quarterback questions.
Ryan Poles is killing this press conference. I think he’s handled the QB questions as best he can
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) January 10, 2023
Want to know how to help Fields grow as a passer? Give him protection and weapons. https://t.co/Oa8vuYxVFC
— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) January 10, 2023
Big take I am getting from Poles talking about some of the offensive players improving going into the offseason "spending time with Justin in the offseason"
If you don't think they are sold on Justin not totally sure what else you need than comments like that.
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) January 10, 2023
Hearing Ryan Poles say he wan't to keep David Montgomery in the fold and he loves the kind of player he is makes my heart feel warm. Hopefully they can come to some common ground and get a deal done that works for both sides. #Bears
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) January 10, 2023
This was evident from the moment Poles and Eberflus came to the team last year. They called out Montgomery and Roquan as those two guys right off the bat.
And Roquan's situation is exactly why he said the value has to come together.
I'm hoping it does come together. https://t.co/QYIJuTG85K
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) January 10, 2023
What is most clear from #Bears GM Ryan Poles in terms of evaluating players is that he loves Cole Kmet and David Montgomery. That falls in line with the way HC Matt Eberflus has spoken about those two as well.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) January 10, 2023
Translation: “Trade with us.” https://t.co/9rvuNcol0v
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) January 10, 2023
#Bears GM Ryan Poles sounds open for business if someone wants to trade for the first pick.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) January 10, 2023
Loved the presser by Poles
I think he did a nice job clearly stating Justin needs to continue improving while also complimenting the things he did well. Talked about the o-line and how the pass pro wasn’t good enough too https://t.co/vCChblGWTU
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) January 10, 2023
I still don't think the Bears will take a QB, but you could interpret "absolutely blown away" as GM speak for think there's decent chance he's better than Fields, which is the right way to look at it. Poles has every incentive to underplay his interest in a QB
— Kevin Cole (@KevinCole___) January 10, 2023
Anyone floating that the #Bears aren't committed to Justin Fields as their quarterback after listening to the entire Ryan Poles press conference is just click-baiting some bullshit for likes and retweets.
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) January 10, 2023
Think Ryan Poles Handled Himself Quite Well. #DaBears Are Open for Business
— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) January 10, 2023
interesting to hear Ryan Poles single out Cole Kmet when asked about potential "blue chip" players outside of QB. tells me two things
– Cole Kmet will prob get another deal
– there are no blue chip pieces on this roster and the front office knows it— Jeremy Layton (@JeremyLayt0n) January 10, 2023
One nugget I got was him saying “a tight end could be a valuable piece in the WR room…” 🤔 Kmet extended AND add another one?
— PutMeOnBlast 🇲🇽 (@YungBlastro) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles should talk publicly only about how impressed he is by both quarterbacks at the top of the draft just to drive up the value of the No. 1 pick and drive Chicago Twitter nuts.
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles is playing chess.He knows he’s not taking a QB.Real ones know how he’s playing chess right now💯
— Jaded (@Jadedfoxx26) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles is playing dumb and I love it. Raise the stock of the pick before trading it. 👏🏼💪🏼
— ricky t (@double_fkn_t) January 10, 2023
Smart by Ryan Poles, drive that first pick price up. As for this draft at QB. There isn’t a QB in it that’s more talented than Justin Fields. https://t.co/wcieeq56ji
— Doctor Gridiron (@DrGridiron_MD) January 10, 2023
People are going to take the "I would have to be blown away" comment from Ryan Poles about taking a QB at #1, way out of context.
To say that there is without question an ability for the #Bears to take ANYONE at #1 will greatly diminish the trade value of that pick.
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) January 10, 2023
If Ryan Poles publicly says “Justin Fields is undoubtedly our guy in 2023,” crushes the value of the 1.01 they acquired.
Poles needs to pretend that they might take a QB with that pick to drive up the cost. If not, QB-needy teams will just call Houston for the 1.02.
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles said all the right things in that presser. Bears fans should have confidence that — process-wise — he knows exactly what he's doing.
What remains to be seen: how well will he and his team scout and assign value this year with the resources they have?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles saying Fields is our guy next year makes me less stressed even though it felt like the obvious choice.
— Trev Schmidt (@HolySchmidt51) January 10, 2023
Reporter: Is Justin Fields your starting quarterback?
Ryan Poles: Yea
There we go #DaBears fans. Asked and answered— Adam Karnik (@adam_karnik) January 10, 2023
I think I'm just to the point where I want results as a Bears fan. Talk is talk, I want a championship caliber roster.
I'm giving Ryan Poles every chance to do that, but I'm not going to hang on every word/quote. I want results.
Same with every other Chicago GM. Just win baby.
— Duke Coughlin (@ThatPodGuyDuke) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles does a really good job of explaining exactly what he wants without saying anything of exactly what he is going to do……some fantastic GM work right there!
— Cork City Bears Fan (@BearsCork) January 10, 2023
Let's be logical. Ryan Poles would be doing the Bears a disservice if he didn't cover every base. If he conducts QB evals and finds there is something better on the board, or is offered a package he can't refuse, he has to pull the trigger.
Justin Fields can handle the scrutiny. https://t.co/gT5qXQyzMw
— The Reverend KFidds (@KFidds) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles confirmed he has a burner account, and see social media.
What do you think his username is?
Weird answers only.#DaBears
— TonyThePodBoss (@TonythePodBoss) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles saying everything I need to hear. Fields ✅ Kmet ✅ Montegomery ✅ Jones ✅ Jenkins ✅
— Greenest Green (@Dar_Green) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles is much more comfortable speaking publicly. When you look at his opening presser when he got hired to now, it’s a big difference.
— EJ (@itsmine49) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles saying he loves Monty and he wants him back… keeping hope alive they'll keep him #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/Pui7Jfok2A
— Chicagoan West Sider by birth (@NayelySpring910) January 10, 2023
#Bears GM Ryan Poles with a bit of praise for RG Teven Jenkins and LT Braxton Jones.
Mentioned Jones has “a long ways to go” in their development.
They’re likely the only two players to factor into the starting five for 2023.
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles CLAIMS he wasn't watching that Houston-Indy game in his box and his focus at that moment was on spending time with his players. pic.twitter.com/umzOoKRomG
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) January 10, 2023
When Ryan Poles said he wasn’t happy about having the #1 pick pic.twitter.com/oTHaRHcIam
— adam (@_adamhess) January 10, 2023
In other words, Ryan Poles believes in Justin Fields and is pretending the door isn’t completely shut so that QB-needy teams call him just to be safe https://t.co/W1fnbIqnv8
— Nico (@elitetakes_) January 10, 2023
To me, Ryan Poles saying he’d have to be “blown away” to use No. 1 pick on a QB is like any sports exec refusing to call any player on his roster “untouchable” in trade talks. Possible? Always. Likely? No. Nothing Poles said today made me question Bears’ commitment to Fields.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) January 10, 2023
Listen Ryan Poles has 0 intention of drafting a QB, but he has to make other GMs think there is a chance of drafting a QB. Everyone relax
— Zeek (@TheZeekFreak) January 10, 2023
Ultimately what #Bears GM Ryan Poles said about Justin Fields today was spot-on.
He’s taken a big step forward and became a playmaker. He also still has room for growth as a passer.
It comes down to how he performs when placed in an actual position to succeed.
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) January 10, 2023
Ryan Poles for the next 3 and a half monthspic.twitter.com/tObaef6SLw
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) January 10, 2023
