As Ryan Poles, Bears continue quarterback evaluations, they 'want to do right' by Justin Fields and keep him in the loop

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) – Bears general manager Ryan Poles recognizes the genuine appreciation that his players have for quarterback Justin Fields.

Poles heard Bears teammates share praise for Fields all throughout this past season, as they pointed to both his performance and leadership with the hope that he’ll be back under center in Chicago in 2024. Speaking at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, Poles stressed that those sentiments won’t influence the organization’s looming quarterback decision, but Poles certainly wants to take into account what’s best for Fields.

As the Bears prepare to either trade Fields and select his replacement in the NFL Draft or to trade the No. 1 overall pick to add talent around Fields, Poles is keeping an open dialogue throughout the process.

“I want to do right by Justin,” Poles said.

Poles is taking his time in evaluating the Bears’ quarterback situation, though he admitted there’s always a sense of urgency to reach the finish line.

As the NFL Combine began Tuesday, Poles made clear he had “no master plan to present” about the Bears’ quarterback decision. This week in Indianapolis will give Poles the opportunity to speak with other teams about the trade markets – for the 24-year-old Fields and for the No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears will hold their first formal meeting with USC quarterback Caleb Williams this week as well as with North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and others.

Poles’ phone won’t stop ringing, he said, as teams gauge what the Bears will do this offseason.

“This is an opportunity for us to continue to gather information, learn about the different players in the draft, listen to what opportunities could come up and then at the end of the day, we're going to make the best decision that we can for the Chicago Bears,” Poles said. “It will not be based on fear of what could happen with this and what could happen with that. We're going to put our information together and make the best decision because at the end of the day, we'll always throw our decision-making against our core deal, which is win championships and sustain success for a long period of time. There’s a lot that goes into that, but we're excited to gather the information and create clarity as we go along.”

If the Bears plan to select a quarterback, they’ll look to trade Fields and add more draft capital. Chicago owns just six selections in this NFL Draft, though that includes the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks in the first round.

The constant speculation about Fields’ future and the uncertainty of what’s next is wearing on him. On the St. Brown Brothers podcast with the 33rd Team last week, Fields admitted he “just (wants) it to be over.”

Poles joked that he wants to reach a decision “tomorrow,” though there are plenty of factors in play. This is a complex process that’s well underway. As the Bears continue their evaluations and work, Poles is making sure Fields is kept in loop.

“He’s a leader,” Poles said of Fields. “Everything our guys have said is true, and (I’m) not surprised our guys have said what they said. I feel the same way. I think sometimes this whole thing gets (to become) Justin vs. another person and I have to look at it a little bit differently. I take that into effect. That’s why the person is so important when we evaluate all the people that would come in at that position. But also, it’s my job to think of the long term and a lot of our guys kind of don’t see that. It’s not their job to do that, and they defend their guy, which I think speaks volumes about our culture in that locker room.”

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .