HELP WANTED: HAS RYAN POLES DONE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT JUSTIN FIELDS?
A closer look at Ryan Poles’ first 100 days as Bears General Manager
(Photo Credit By: FaizSportsTalk)
It’s two days before the NFL draft, which means it’s officially silly season. Bears fans and media are freaking out over a voluntary offseason practice, while national media members are suggesting Justin Fields should ask for a trade.
Of course, both conversations are absurd. Jumping to any conclusions about the 2022 Bears before training camp has started is ridiculous.
However, it is fair to question how this offseason has gone. With Fields entering the second year of a rookie contract, this next season will be pivotal in both his development, as well as the entire team’s. Which begs the question-has Ryan Poles really done enough to support his young quarterback?
To find some answers, I went back and looked at the offseason of each team with a second-year quarterback dating back to 2017, the last time the Bears were in this position. I broke each team down by a.) who were their three biggest acquisitions and how much did they cost, b.) who were the best weapons each quarterback had nd c.) what was their year one-year two improvement. The results are below:
The only team that has spent less than the Bears are this year’s Patriots, who spent a record amount of money last offseason and are coming off a ten-win season. The other quarterbacks on this list who didn’t have elite weapons on their roster at least had a strong offensive line to protect them. The only quarterback on this that had the same lack of weapons and offensive line talent around him was Daniel Jones, whose career arc is certainly not one any Bears fans would envy for Fields. Add it all up, and Justin Fields is arguably entering the worst situation of any second-year quarterback in the last five seasons.
Of course, that isn’t all Poles’ fault. He’s inheriting a roster and cap situation that was severely mismanaged by the previous regime. Additionally, the Bears will have significant resources next year to improve the roster and situation around Fields.
But it’s not unfair to conclude that Poles has not done enough to support Justin Fields in a critical year of his development. Which is why it is crucial that Poles has a great draft this weekend.