Ryan Poles trying to drive up the cost of the #1 pick

[NAS]

“Should we do this before free agency? Or should we wait?” he said. “I don’t know. That’s what I’ve communicated [to teams]. I could carry this all the way until we’re on the clock the night of the draft. But then there’s teams that want some certainty because, ‘If I need a quarterback bad, should I do that now when some of these guys, like Derek Carr, are out there?’ To me, they’ve got to go so much more above to do it now.

“I’m not greedy with it. But they’re gonna have to go above and beyond to close the door now.”

It’s crazy this year that there’s not a no-doubt quarterback in the group, yet there could be a frenzy to get to number one. Houston (picking two and 12), Indianapolis (four), Vegas (seven) and Carolina (nine), and possibly Tennessee (11) or Seattle (five), could all engage Poles aggressively. For Poles, and for the recently star-crossed Bears, this pick could plant the first-round seeds for a long-term rebuild. A much-needed one.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/06/ryan-poles-chicago-bears-nfl-combine-draft-peter-king-fmia/

Edited March 6, 2023 by NAS

[LinvilleGorge]

As he should. He has the golden ticket. If he gives it to you, you can save football in *insert flailing NFL city here*.

[SaltAndPepper]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

As he should. He has the golden ticket. If he gives it to you, you can save football in *insert flailing NFL city here*.

Draft day is a freaking awesome movie mate

[stan786]

It's always interesting watching negotiations through leaked information. With Lamar/Carr/Jimmy G out there I feel like the Bears have a bit of risk a lot of their leverage gets removed from the equation if they wait too long as well. Its going to be an interesting balance to watch especially if the Bears do want to come away with two firsts like they are talking about.

[45catfan]

Lol, and us being the furthest back of the QB needy teams to move up would have to give up a TON to go to #1, but I'm getting flack for suggesting we stay put at #9.

Some of you guys would give up your first born child to move to #1. 

[45catfan]

Anyone thinking the Bears dropping from #1 to #9 is ANYTHING less than 3 first rounders--bare minimum, is hooked up to the hopium tank.  Probably a 2nd or 3rd thrown in there too.

[LinvilleGorge]

6 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Lol, and us being the furthest back of the QB needy teams to move up would have to give up a TON to go to #1, but I'm getting flack for suggesting we stay put at #9.

Some of you guys would give up your first born child to move to #1. 

But put yourself in Fitts' shoes. You have an owner desperate for a franchise QB. He's run out of patience waiting. If you sit there at #9 and a QB doesn't fall and you have to go into the season with another mediocre vet retread or a third tier rookie or Matt Corral at QB, you're a walking dead man. You're as good as fired. Make a bold move for a QB and you've at least bought yourself time.

The time is now. Everyone feels it.

 

[45catfan]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

But put yourself in Fitts' shoes. You have an owner desperate for a franchise QB. He's run out of patience waiting. If you sit there at #9 and a QB doesn't fall and you have to go into the season with another mediocre vet retread or a third tier rookie or Matt Corral at QB, you're a walking dead man. You're as good as fired. Make a bold move for a QB and you've at least bought yourself time.

The time is now. Everyone feels it.

 

That right there shows that you know it's a huge risk.  Squander the next several drafts on such a move and the QB we went all-in on is anything less than a legit franchise QB seals Fitts fate here in Carolina. 

Again, moving up to the top 3 is a 'push all your chips to center table' move.  Go big or go home--if that QB doesn't go big, Fitts will be going home. 

[NAS]

1 minute ago, 45catfan said:

That right there shows that you know it's a huge risk.  Squander the next several drafts on such a move and the QB we went all-in on is anything less than a legit franchise QB seals Fitts fate here in Carolina. 

Again, moving up to the top 3 is a 'push all your chips to center table' move.  Go big or go home--if that QB doesn't go big, Fitts will be going home. 

I think Fitterer put it in perspective last week during the press conference.  If you trade up and mortgage your future, you better have really strong conviction about the QB you're draft.  I honestly think only CJ Stroud is the pick that would warrant that risk.

[LinvilleGorge]

14 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

That right there shows that you know it's a huge risk.  Squander the next several drafts on such a move and the QB we went all-in on is anything less than a legit franchise QB seals Fitts fate here in Carolina. 

Again, moving up to the top 3 is a 'push all your chips to center table' move.  Go big or go home--if that QB doesn't go big, Fitts will be going home. 

Of course I know it's a huge risk. Who doesn't realize this?

You know what else is a huge risk if you're Fitts? Sitting at #9. Sit at #9 and end up having to reach on say your #4 QB and if he flounders you're probably fired.

The Panthers are operating like they fully plan on this being out last top 10 pick for awhile.

[Mage]

What has playing it safe got the Panthers organization? 

[stan786]

6 minutes ago, NAS said:

I think Fitterer put it in perspective last week during the press conference.  If you trade up and mortgage your future, you better have really strong conviction about the QB you're draft.  I honestly think only CJ Stroud is the pick that would warrant that risk.

I do agree with this which is why I feel like 1 is really our only trade spot until the Draft actually happens, I could see our FO having Bryce and Stroud up there (I agree with you on Stroud being the clear guy) but 2 isnt an option currently. Spending a ton trading up for Richardson or Levis feels like a Hail Mary and not having a trade up for one of them before the draft wouldn't really effect our FA like having someone that could probably come in and start week 1 would.

[Jon Snow]

They may have just priced us out of trading with talk like that.

Edited March 6, 2023 by Jon Snow

[NAS]

Just now, Jon Snow said:

They may just have priced us out of trading with talk like that.

They're putting the pressure on.  They're clearly talking about us.