With the No. 1 pick in 2024, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles may choose a new franchise quarterback in place of Justin Fields, but NFL national insider Peter King predicts Poles will want another “ransom.”
King mentioned Poles and the QB choice he will have to make in the 2024 offseason in a brief piece he penned for Football Morning in America. Similar to 2023, the Bears have concerns about Fields’ potential as a starter and own the top pick in the draft, which comes from the Carolina Panthers (2-15).
In his essay for NBC Sports on January 8, King stated, “The Bears, at 1, should be able to get a 2022-like ransom for the pick with so many good quarterbacks in the pool.” “It’s too early to say with certainty, but I expect GM Ryan Poles to trade the pick.”
Although King is one of the nation’s most reliable NFL insiders, his knowledge of Poles is supported by a track record. The two had multiple conversations during the 2023 offseason, with Poles providing King with important information regarding his trade talks and his opinions regarding Fields and the quarterback position going forward.
Less than a week before the move was finalised, King stated that he anticipated the Poles to trade the first overall pick in 2023 after the NFL Scouting Combine in March of last year. Hence, King is the best option when it comes to plugged-in sources with Poles.
However, it is important to note that King gave Poles the option to choose a different route with the first overall choice in 2024. But will Poles adopt a daring new look?
It’s possible that the Bears will make their decision about the quarterback position later than they did in 2023. Between the conclusion of the NFL Combine and the beginning of the 2023 league season, the Poles traded the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina in early March of last year. However, things might take longer in 2024 due to a more elite class of quarterback prospects.
In any case, any franchise-shifting choices by the Bears will almost definitely have to wait until after this year’s NFL Combine, which takes place from February 26 to March 4.
From the outside, the NFL Combine appears to be a priceless scouting showcase that helps organisations assess the prospects who have captured their attention. Teams also get the opportunity to meet one-on-one with prospects to gain a sense of their personality and character, even if the majority of fan focus is typically directed towards the physical testing and measurements.
The yearly gathering also gives general managers a covert opportunity to discuss possible transactions that might happen in the weeks preceding the NFL draft. At the 2023 event, Poles spoke with a few other teams and reportedly established the basis for his trade with the Panthers and former general manager Scott Fitterer. King was informed of this.
