The Chicago Bears have spent a significant portion of their existence looking for a true franchise quarterback.

The team drastically altered its offensive strategy on Wednesday, but it is still unclear if quarterback Justin Fields will make a comeback.

In his opening remarks, general manager Ryan Poles made it clear that the Bears will deliberate about Fields’ future while holding the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft before making any snap decisions.

Poles stated, “I know there’s going to be a lot of questions on Justin, there’s going to be a lot of questions on the draft process,” according to the team text. “At the moment, we are collecting information. We will stop at nothing to ensure that the choice we pick will be the best one for our company.

“I did believe Justin improved. He can lead this team, in my opinion. However, there is a special circumstance where I and our employees must examine everything, and that is precisely what we will do in regards to free agency. We’ll examine our free agents, consult with my personnel team, conduct assessments, and, once more, come to the best conclusion possible so that this organisation can move forward.”

Fields was chosen eleventh overall in the 2021 selection, a draft that has gained notoriety for producing a poor crop of quarterbacks in the first round (Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, etc.). The previous Bears management team, led by general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy, took him.

With Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, he spent two seasons. After Week 18, it appeared as though the trio’s destinies were uncertain, but Eberflus and Poles are sticking together. The main narrative for the Bears’ summer will centre on whether Fields is as well.

“We adore Justin’s current location,” Eberflus remarked. “His growth has been impressive. With his eyes down the field, he’s doing a nice job of keeping the interceptions down and the sack totals. He’s done a fantastic job with it, showing that he can deliver some strikes down there, and he’ll keep developing as our football team does.”