Bears GM quiets draft debate, backs Justin Fields as No. 1 QB

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears general manager Ryan Poles backed Justin Fields as Chicago’s starting quarterback for 2023 and said he would have to be ‘absolutely blown away’ to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.

“Yeah. We had good conversations,” Poles said during his season-ending news conference. “I’m excited for the direction he’s going. As I mentioned before, he knows where he has to improve. I think he mentioned that the other day. We’re excited about his development and where he goes next. He showed ability to be impactful with his legs. There’s flashes with his arm. Now if we can put that together, I think we have something really good.”

The Bears entered Week 18 second in the draft order but then swapped spots with Houston for the No. 1 overall pick after the Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 32-31. Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are considered the top quarterbacks in a draft class that could feature as many as four QBs taken in the first round.

Poles appeared to temper debate on whether the Bears would take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick after committing to Fields as Chicago’s starter for next season.

“We’re gonna do the same as we’ve always done,” Poles said. “We’re gonna evaluate the draft class, and I would say this: I would have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”

Despite the Bears ending the 2022 season on a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak and 3-14 record, Fields showed signs of improvement in his second season that has the Bears general manager encouraged about his development.

“I thought Justin did a good job,” Poles said. “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.”

The Bears owned the league’s top…