Bears using a qualifier in keeping Justin Fields is insulting

The Chicago Bears using a qualifier over keeping Justin Fields is absolutely embarrassing.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles found a new and creative way to humiliate Justin Fields in front of the entire NFL world.

Poles took to the podium during the early stages of the combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday. He could have said anything to the tune of “Justin Fields is our guy and we’re excited to build around him”, but that would have been way too easy. Instead, he put his foot in his mouth by further devaluing his franchise quarterback by not remaining fully committed to him. How embarrassing…

When asked if Fields is to remain as the Bears’ starter, Poles said, “That’s the plan right now.”

Like, why on god’s green earth would you even think to end this sentence with that qualifier???

I understand that you have leverage with the No. 1 overall pick, but Fields deserves way better…

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles uses “right now” qualifier discussing Justin Fields

For a franchise that has not had a true franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman, what are you doing? You had the worst team in football a year ago because your roster was terrible. But in the midst of perpetual quagmire, the Bears do have something good cooking. Fields looked much-improved in year two. Luke Getsy can call plays. Matt Eberflus grew into his role as a head coach.

“That’s the plan” would have sufficed. “Right now” lands so poorly that it makes you want to scream. The whole point in drafting a quarterback coming out of college is hoping you end up with a guy like Fields. Yes, the previous administration traded up to get him, but Ryan Pace’s front office never actively disparaged either of its franchise quarterbacks to this degree at the combine.

Although this is a critical year in Fields’ growth and development as an NFL passer, the Bears’ front office needs to have some level of situational awareness to realize a fourth of the league would kill to have a signal-caller like the former Ohio State star. Yes, other teams may want to trade for him, but if Poles can be this lukewarm on Fields, he could feel the same over another guy.

Truth be told, he may have an opportunity to ride it out with another quarterback should Fields fail. Pace did, but even he got whacked after year one with his new quarterback he traded up to get. Factor in Eberflus being a defensive-minded head coach and what happens when Getsy gets poached out of town? Chicago does not have the luxury to not be all-in on Fields this offseason.

Instead of dragging its franchise quarterback unnecessarily through the mud, they can attempt to garner leverage to get teams to trade up by doing this. Leak to the media how much interest you are getting for the No. 1 pick. All it takes is for teams more desperate for a quarterback than you like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders or Carolina Panthers to trade up.

It never had to be this hard, but that is just par for the course with the Bears year in and year out…