GM Ryan Poles: Tune in on Thursday to see who Bears pick No. 1 overall in 2024 NFL Draft

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears will kick off the 2024 NFL Draft, presumably by selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles was elusive about the Williams pick during his pre-draft news conference on Tuesday, despite it being assumed for months.

Poles informed reporters, “Regrettably, it’s an event that requires everyone to tune in on Thursday to see.” He continued, “However, I am quite confident about our process, our current position, and our direction. We have a clear plan. Everyone will simply have to wait until Thursday night.”

Williams was the sole quarterback that the Bears invited to Halas Hall for a top 30 visit. It was also the only pre-draft visit that the quarterback participated in.

During his visit, Williams had the opportunity to meet some of the current players of the Bears, who were present to greet the quarterback.

Poles said the meeting confirmed a lot of the information they already had. He pointed out that it was a test of his football comprehension. He found the interaction between him and the coaches to be very positive. Furthermore, introducing him to some of their players was crucial for them. Poles emphasized the importance of their locker room culture, and he wants the players to be involved in the team-building process as much as possible. He values their feedback greatly.

The players provided positive feedback, and Poles dismissed the stereotypes that Williams has been associated with in recent months.

“Poles described him as a really intelligent guy who presented himself as a great teammate. He found him approachable and grounded. They’ve discussed the allure of the Hollywood lifestyle, but his focus remains on the game. He’s committed to working hard, improving, and prioritizing team victory above personal success. The main concern was whether he would fit into our culture and align with our goals, and all indications were positive. That was encouraging,” said Poles.

The Bears can officially confirm their marriage with Williams in two days.