Ryan Poles: 'It’s got to help our organization significantly' for Bears to potentially trade the No. 1 overall pick

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) – Bears general manager Ryan Poles is one of the most popular figures at the NFL Combine this year. That’s how it goes when your team holds the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and has a young quarterback who’s potentially available for trade.

“My phone won’t stop ringing,” Poles said Tuesday.

As the NFL Combine began Tuesday at the Indiana Convention Center and with many conversations taking place across downtown here, Poles is a man in demand. He was in the same position just a year ago as the Bears also held the No. 1 overall pick, and he used Indianapolis as a host site for trade negotiations.

The Bears dealt that No. 1 pick to the Panthers for star receiver DJ Moore, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, a 2024 first-round pick that landed at this No. 1 overall spot and two second-round selections. This time around, the stakes are even higher for the Bears as USC star quarterback Caleb Williams is projected to go No. 1 overall.

With that in mind, Poles is ready to hear out potential offers, but the price has to be right – and high.

“It’s got to help our organization significantly to move around,” Poles said of potentially trading the No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears haven’t yet reached a decision on their future at quarterback, Poles said Tuesday. He pointed to the process of gathering more information this week as an essential part of the puzzle.

Poles and the Bears will also listen to offers on three-year starting quarterback Justin Fields as they explore the possibility of selecting Williams at No. 1 overall. Poles has maintained a dialogue with Fields during a period of uncertainty that Fields recently admitted has worn on him.

The Bears aren’t setting a timeline to make their decision, and Poles’ phone is open for calls on offers.

“It will not be based on fear of what could happen with this and what could happen with that,” Poles said. “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.”

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