LATEST REPORT: Bears General Manager’s New Remarks on the Top Pick Don’t Look Good for Commanders

It is anticipated that the Washington Commanders, who own the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will select a quarterback. Caleb Williams, a quarterback for USC who many say has the potential to be a generational talent, is the top prospect in this draft. The Chicago Bears must make a difficult selection with the first overall pick. Should they make another quarterbacking change, or is Justin Fields the solution?

On February 27, Ryan Poles, the general manager of the Bears, gave a press conference regarding his plans for the top choice. It doesn’t appear realistic that the Commanders will be able to select Williams with the first overall pick. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Poles said the following:

Bears general manager Ryan Poles reports that while many teams have reached out to gauge the “temperature,” he hasn’t had any “big-time conversations” with any about potentially dealing out of No. 1. claims that trading out would need it to “help our organization significantly.”

The Bears might be interested in Jonathan Allen, the No. 2 pick, and potential draft compensation. Even yet, given how much is required for an unproven rookie quarterback, the Commanders might not want to make the necessary moves.

Bears Insider Projects They Will Trade the Top Pick
A day after Peter King of Pro Football Talk predicted that the Chicago Bears will trade the No. 1 pick, Poles made their opinions.

King’s plan is exactly what the Washington Commanders could do, therefore it would be perfect for them. The Bears are a better club if the Commanders are prepared to part with Allen, future compensation, and the second pick.

However, a franchise quarterback could be a bigger concern for the Bears as Fields hasn’t proven to be that yet. Fields threw for 2,562 yards with just 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

King gave his thoughts on what the Bears should do with the No. 1 pick.

“I suppose the Bears are going to trade the top pick. I know nothing, but that seems to be the way the wind is blowing. What I say: The Bears could keep Justin Fields (and should), and trade the first pick down once or twice, and build the kind of supporting cast a team needs to contend.

“Suppose GM Ryan Poles traded the top pick down one spot to Washington (which would take Caleb Williams), and got the second pick, a second-round pick and a 2025 first-round pick in return. Then suppose Poles traded the second pick to Atlanta at eight, and the Falcons picked one of the other quarterbacks. In return, Chicago gets the eighth pick, Atlanta’s second-round pick, and first- and second-round picks next year.”

Commanders Need to Be Ready To Select at No. 2

Given the comments from the Chicago Bears general manager, the Washington Commanders need to plan on using the No. 2 pick.

Unless something changes and they can intrigue the Bears, the Commanders seem stuck at No. 2. Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are high-level prospects and look to be franchise-level quarterbacks with the right development, so this isn’t the end of the world.