Flash Tizzle

This is a game where I wouldn’t even mind if Caleb threw 5 interceptions. It’s about survival more than his development at this point. That ball needs to thrown in under 2.5 seconds. Whether to a receiver, out of bounds, or buried in the ground.

It really seems like such an obvious decision to move on from him. If you were Poles, and understood next season determines your fate, what would you do? You would likely put every resource (FA/draft) into making sure you win right away. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them offer Trey Smith a record deal. Additionally, if they question their position in the draft to pick up Will Campbell, trade up using their #1 and #2 to snag him. Poles is fighting for his career here. There are no long term repercussions to worry about if the Bears have losing season and you’re fired.

For evaluating Poles, the entire Flus experience (from beginning to end) cancels out the Carolina heist, IMO. Both are extreme examples of a historic success and failure. Now, after reading that article, I come away feeling less confident than ever about Poles. I would have honestly felt better knowing the decision to hire and retain him was influenced by ownership and/or Warren. The information we have available now, I would not allow Poles a chance to remain the GM. I cannot trust him to make the necessary roster and personnel decisions. Imagine what hangs over his head entering 2025. Is anyone willing to bet he is fired with anything less than a winning record? (Only caveat to that being Caleb shows amazing progress in a losing season). Now, someone who probably over analyzes every decision will have to draft and sign the right players to immediately turn around the roster in one season. In an incredibly difficult division. I just don’t see it for Poles. Then we’re telling ourselves after the fallout how obvious of a decision it was all along to fire Poles. Let’s not make that mistake. Fire him, find a replacement, move on.

I meant of the 8 remaining games, 4 are at home; and in that hypothetical scenario if they were to go 4-4, I could see those 4 wins coming at home. I was throwing out a, “most realistic” best case scenario

So many are quick to dismiss this scenario, but I agree with you. If the Bears finish 4-4 they may still remain winless on the road (albeit against tough opponents), but a lot depends on how those games fare. If they play to their talent, it’s entirely possible. Are they close losses/wins? Are there more losses where the Bears have a 90%+ probability of winning? The bar has already been set so low for this team because of their strength of schedule. Also, If Williams has “improved” (which is subjective, but let’s say much better than his recent spiral), does Brown stay as OC? Are we looking for a new HC who will bring in his own OC? If Williams does look much better, I could really see the org keeping everything in place for continuity purposes.

We’re already having the “(Insert Bears QB) is our starter” statement, lol. When I stepped away from the local talk radio, blog, YouTube environment, it really highlighted the difference in how we’re viewing his struggles. I’d say most of the local focus is on the coaching, OL. Nationally, Caleb is getting destroyed. And there’s a lot of analysis video suggesting he has been terrible. Not that one side is wrong or right, but I do feel local fans are just trying not to think of the possibility they picked the wrong QB (again)

What scares me is a “better than expected” 4-4 record to end the season. The Bears finish with 8 wins, can cite progress over last season and build up the idea that coaches and personnel rallied around adversity. Then, Flus returns another year….

If I’m Poles, I’d see what OL help would be available for that Panthers second round pick

That’d be an ideal situation. No question Flus would be fired. Now if the finish 9-8, with several wins against divisional opponents and improvements from Caleb, will they keep Flus?

He’s playing for his next contract, maybe there’s some pressure behind the scenes to throw him the ball more Even if there isn’t, we aren’t receiving any compensation after he leaves this season. May as well see who is interested

Absolutely. If that disaster of a game is setting in motion the end of Flus, then it will all be worth it for Ben Johnson.

Im not saying these are great examples, but they immediately come to mind : Dead - Jermaine Dye. Which was usually followed with references to the Altered Beast video game intro “Rise from your grave.” Choke Crede Jizz Can - Luis Vizcaino Botch - Billy Koch

Imagine an alternate universe where we end up with the Carolina pick after #5. We’d likely keep Fields and go on with the narrative of building around him. And I think most would’ve been content with that scenario. Whatever happens with the QBs at the top of the class, we are very fortunate to be in this position.

A source told ESPN that five teams in addition to Pittsburgh reached out to Chicago, and the majority of those teams had envisioned the former first-round pick in a backup role. Additionally, the Steelers had been in talks with the Bears throughout the week of free agency and reached out again after sending Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. The Bears had an additional offer with stronger draft capital from a team with an established starter, per a source, but chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh with the hope of putting the 25-year-old in a position to continue his development -- first as a backup to Wilson and eventually as a starter. In Indianapolis, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he wanted to "do right" by Fields, which included not keeping him on a team with a rookie and finding a spot where he could continue developing. In Pittsburgh, Fields will have that chance. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39747405/nfl-justin-fields-steelers-bears-trade-russell-wilson

I’m so glad we’re past the Fields issue and can move forward. It has occupied the entire offseason and divided the city. I’d be happy with Williams at #1, Lathum/Olu/Al or Odunze at #9.

Poles was always on the wrong end of the deal. There was no option of keeping Fields if the Bears didn’t like the offers. I don’t know if this was all an attempt to “do right by Fields,” but if anything is going to motivate Justin it’s this weak return.

I think by evidence of teams not using the same strategy as GB suggests the NFL knows (for the reasons you listed) it’s not as simple as just sitting a QB and letting him absorb knowledge. Also, Williams (or whomever they draft) has the benefit of starting behind a team which should be in playoff contention. Not many QBs drafted #1 have that situation

Guys, just because they said Fields has been traded….doesn’t make it true. Poles is playing chess on another dimension, here. Why hasn’t he said anything yet?! Poles said he is building through the draft. And don’t you remember that picture of both of them hugging each other!? It’s because Fields is our QB1, and we’re trading our #1 pick (to avoid the future bust) for a HAUL.

Right, they’re not “shopping Fields”; they’re just answering phone calls from other teams shopping for him.

It will be very telling to see what the compensation is, Fields should bring something similar

I’d love for the Titans to be the one’s trading down out of the Top 10. They’re consistently linked to him.

Someone will take him in the Top 10. Whether it’s the Giants, or from one of the other teams (Atlanta, Bears, Jets) trading down.

Outstanding trade! I give Poles a lot of credit for patience here. My hot takes from a few hours ago have aged terribly. It would seem this places us out of play for Odunze at 9. Is a trade down inevitable now?

There’s no reason to throw everyone off, though. If we have to use the logic of, “this makes sense if A,B,C and D happens,” then there’s a problem.

It is becoming inexcusable at this point. What is he waiting for? There’s a lot of positions to be upgraded and there are only so many picks in the draft.