LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ryan Poles was sincere in his intentions to “do right” by Justin Fields.

As he explored the prospects of selecting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, Poles envisioned a process in which he could check all the necessary boxes and operate with clarity for the Bears’ future at quarterback. It has seemed all along that Williams will become Chicago’s next franchise arm, and that still remains the case. But the plans for Fields’ future are far less certain.

Through the end of a busy week in free agency, Fields remains with the Bears. If the intention was indeed to trade him, a match was never made. Poles would have been responsible first to secure a lucrative return for Fields while also seeking to find a team that desires him as its starting quarterback.

Poles has not been willing to settle for a lesser return on Fields, while those teams seeking a quarterback have simply not been interested in dealing key assets to acquire him.

The Falcons made a major signing with Kirk Cousins on a four-year, $180-million deal. The Steelers took a chance on future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson, paying him the league minimum of $1.2 million as the Broncos pay out his hefty salary. The Raiders and new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy brought in journeyman Gardner Minshew, the Patriots signed veteran Jacoby Brissett, the Seahawks made a trade for Sam Howell, the Commanders moved for Marcus Mariota and the Giants took in Drew Lock. This rookie quarterback class is especially deep with Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.

Quarterback-seeking teams have had plenty of options. So, what is the future of Fields?

The Bears will continue to take in offers on Fields if they are presented, but Poles now may be best inclined to hold on until the NFL Draft in late April. That is when teams seeking to select a quarterback could find their plans dashed and seek a young quarterback to bring in.

But if the Bears do intend to select Williams or a prized rookie quarterback in the draft, the idea of keeping Fields is simply untenable – for everybody involved. It would put a rookie under intense pressure and further ignite a divided fan base to one side or the other.

For his part, Fields shouldn’t want this either. He may elect to skip out on the voluntary offseason program in April and avoid the Bears entirely if they are conducting with the plan to move on.

Fields is represented by powerful agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First – the agency that coincidentally also represents Poles – and may be advised to formally request a trade rather than standing by through changes. Of course, that request would match the Bears’ intentions as well.

What’s certain for Poles is he cannot alter his plans for the quarterback position based on the potential trade market for Fields. He shouldn’t – and won’t – pass on selecting a prized quarterback if that’s the desired route because the transition plan is not clean.

First, Poles must ensure that Williams would be the right option for the Bears. They will send a large contingent to Los Angeles next Wednesday for USC’s pro day, which will offer the opportunity to conduct a meeting with Williams and full medical assessment. These are among the most important steps to establish him as the No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears haven’t formalized their plans to select Williams, and they are still holding onto Fields. What comes next is ever apparent but not a fait accompli.

Swift finds ‘where I was wanted the most’

The Bears were eager to explore the market for free-agent running backs, which ran especially deep this offseason. But it didn’t take long to lock in their selection.

The Bears struck a three-year, $24-million deal with D’Andre Swift mere minutes into the open negotiation period on Monday morning. Though there were options like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and more available, the Bears didn’t hesitate because of their belief in Swift.

The 25-year-old Swift was right for the Bears given his youth, upside and value. He carried 229 times for a career-best 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns last season with the Eagles, this while hauling in 39 receptions.

Swift is a dynamic talent with great versatility out of the backfield and the Bears weren’t prepared to let him sign elsewhere.

Swift was prepared to wear his nerves Monday while waiting for the right fit to emerge in free agency. He didn’t have to wait for long before the Bears came calling.

“Ultimately it came down to where I was wanted the most,” Swift said. “I feel like this was the best decision for me, best opportunity for me with everything that was out there. I feel like I made the best decision. I’m excited to be here. Excited to be a Bear.”

The Bears boast a rushing offense that led the NFL in 2022 with 3,014 yards, then marked second overall last season with 2,399 yards. This success on the ground has come despite a revolving door at running back over the last two years.

David Montgomery’s departure to the Lions last March marked the end of Swift’s time in Detroit, and he was traded to Philadelphia during the 2023 NFL Draft. The Bears operated with Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson sharing the carries last season, while Fields led the team in rushing each of the last two years.

Swift will likely lead the Bears’ backfield along with Johnson, the powerful rusher who enters his second season seeking a larger workload. Herbert, entering his fourth NFL season, could be the odd man out of this mix.

Swift is the type of running back who can transform the Bears’ offense this season.

“Playmaking ability, a team-first guy, great locker room guy, a guy that wants to win first and foremost,” Swift said. “That’s what it’s all about. A guy that’s going to come in here and work every single day, same mentality every single day. I’m looking forward to winning and getting the most out of me, and the city and organization are going to get that.”

The Bears prioritized adding a proven rusher for their backfield in part because of the expectation they will select Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. Having a player of Swift’s caliber in the backfield will lessen the burden for a rookie quarterback like Williams leading an NFL offense.

Swift has a connection with Fields that dates back to their time together at Georgia. But he did not hear from Fields when his deal with the Bears became known.

Byard with plenty to prove

Throughout an esteemed eight-year NFL career, Kevin Byard isn’t one to put a chip on his shoulder with outside perceptions. He only hopes to meet his own expectations.

After being released by the Eagles early this month, the 30-year-old Byard didn’t make it a point to prove anyone wrong. He’s hoping to prove himself right.

“I know what type of player I am,” Byard said. “I know what type of player I’ve been my entire career, and I will seek to prove myself right again. I’ve been working my behind off already this offseason. I’m excited to come in and be that piece for this defense and display my ball-hawking skills and things like that. I’m sure with the pieces that we have, it will be on show for real.”

The Bears signed Byard to a two-year deal worth up to $15 million on Sunday, bringing him aboard before the start of free agency. Because he was released as a vested veteran by the Eagles, he was eligible to sign immediately with a new team.

Byard was drawn to the Bears’ youth and promise, in particular on defense, and intends to emerge as a leader with his new team.

A key part of that to Byard is with availability. He has never missed a game over eight seasons – and hasn’t been sidelined from practice due to injury.

“Earn the respect of my teammates, my coaches, everybody in the building,” Byard said. “To let them know I care.”

Center of attention

While it’s not quite clear how exactly the Bears will form their starting offensive line, they now have options at center.

The Bears officially completed their trade on Wednesday to acquire five-year veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates in a deal with the Bills, sending a fifth-round pick back to Buffalo. Then on Thursday, Chicago signed Coleman Shelton on a one-year deal.

With Bates and Shelton into the fold, the Bears have created the prospects of a competition at center.

Bates, 27, is a versatile offensive lineman who moved all around the Bills’ offensive line, primarily in a reserve role. The Bears signed him to a four-year offer sheet two years ago, which was matched by the Bills to keep him in Buffalo.

But a salary cap crunch by the Bills made Bates available for a trade, and the Bears landed the player they coveted.

Shelton, 28, is a six-year NFL veteran who played the last five seasons with the Rams. He emerged as the starting center in Los Angeles, starting each game last season.

The Bears may be drawn to a young center in the NFL Draft, with a prospect like Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon) as an intriguing Day 2 fit. But the preferred route would be to bring in a veteran center to work with a young quarterback.

Gone to Carolina

The Bears were supposed to host pass rusher D.J. Wonnum at Halas Hall on Thursday, but not before a visit with the Panthers on Wednesday. He never made it to Chicago.
The Panthers did not let Wonnum leave Carolina, striking a two-year deal worth $12.5 million, a source said. It means the Bears’ search for a proven pass rusher continues on as the market has diminished considerably.

The Bears may now be inclined to explore the trade market for a pass rusher, which includes a pair of intriguing players in Philadelphia. The Eagles are seeking to deal pass rushers Josh Sweat or Hasson Reddick, this after signing Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1-million deal this week.

While Reddick is the more productive pass rusher – posting 50.5 sacks over the last four seasons – Sweat is just 26 years old and comes at a lesser cost.

The Bears could form a tandem of Sweats to rush off the edge.

Jaylon’s grand goals

Often times when a player signs a significant contract and earns that unparalleled security, they can become complacent. Jaylon Johnson isn’t that type.

After signing a four-year, $76-million contract extension with the Bears early this week, Johnson is setting the bar even higher for himself.

“I want to have a yellow jacket,” Johnson said. “I want to be the best 33 to wear the jersey. I have those types of goals and aspirations. With that and to get a yellow jacket, you got to be consistently great.

“That’s my goal.”

Johnson earned this contract extension following a breakthrough 2023 season in which he hauled in a career-best four interceptions. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition and was rated as the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

A second-round pick to the Bears in 2020, Johnson proved himself as the type of dominant cover cornerback they always envisioned.

Johnson bet on himself and won, earning his future with the Bears. But now he’s striving for even more moving forward.

Stadium future shifts

The Bears began an eventful week in free agency with news on their stadium future, formally proposing $2 billion in private funding to build a new stadium along Chicago’s lakefront on the museum campus property south of Soldier Field, sources said.

Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren confirmed these intentions in a statement shared with Marquee Sports Network.

“The Chicago Bears are proud to contribute over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public to enjoy in the city of Chicago,” Warren said. “The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”

The Bears currently own the 326-acre Arlington Park property in suburban Arlington Heights, for which they paid $197.2 million early last year. But amid battles over property tax certainty with three local school districts in Arlington Heights, the team has turned its focus back to the city of Chicago.

The Bears will face challenges in their goal to break ground in Chicago, including the Friends of the Park non-profit group that released its own statement calling for a pause in these plans and the initiation of dialogue. The team must also seek a significant amount of public funding beyond the $2 billion it’s pledging.

This is yet another significant shift in this story as the Bears seek to build a state-of-the-art stadium – either in the city of Chicago or the suburbs.