INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) – Bears general manager Ryan Poles on Tuesday reaffirmed the team's faith in quarterback Justin Fields but added the organization will thoroughly evaluate the top quarterback prospects in this draft class as it holds the No. 1 overall pick.
Poles will remain in communication with Fields throughout the scouting process and the spring as the Bears' intentions with the No. 1 pick are a daily source of local and national conversation.
"Justin did some really good things," Poles said Tuesday morning at the NFL Combine. "I'm excited for where his game is going to go. But at the same time, when you sit in our situation at No. 1 overall, you have to do your due diligence. You have to investigate everything. You got to spend time with those guys just to make sure we're making the right decision.
"We'll be in communication with Justin along the way, just to make sure he knows what we're doing and nothing is a surprise to him."
Prior to arriving at the NFL Combine, the Bears were recently in communication with Fields about their scouting plan, Poles said.
"That's the plan right now," Poles responded when asked if the plan is for Fields to be the Bears' starting quarterback in 2023. "Like I said, we're going to do our homework on this class. And if something changes – and again, I'll just use the same statement (as before). We've got to be blown away to say you know what, 'I think this is best for our organization (to draft a quarterback).'"
Alabama's Bryce Young is considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2023 draft class, with Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis also projected to be first-round picks.
Fields, who will turn 24 on Sunday, completed 60.4% of his passes for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games last season. He also rushed 160 times for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns. That marked the second-most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season in NFL history.
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields was selected by former Bears general manager Ryan Pace and his brass. Poles previously stated he'd have to be "absolutely blown away" by a quarterback prospect in this draft class to utilize the No. 1 overall pick on a player to replace Fields.
The Bears had the top-ranked rushing offense in the NFL in 2022, setting a franchise record with 3,014 yards on the ground, but their passing game ranked dead last in the league, averaging just 130.5 yards per game through the air.
Poles confirmed the Bears are leaning toward trading the No. 1 pick – perhaps even prior to the start of free agency in mid-March – to stockpile draft capital beyond the team's eight current selections.
In doing so, the Bears would cement their commitment to Fields as their starting quarterback for 2023.
"He's got to take the next step in his game," Poles said. "And I'm excited to see that, because I think he's going to."
The NFL Draft will begin April 27 in Kansas City.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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