Chicago Tribune

‘I like the numbers.’ Why the Bears are increasingly excited about their draft options at No. 9.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks on the field before a game against the Commanders on Oct. 5, 2023, at FedEx Field.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ryan Poles is nothing if not imaginative, an NFL executive who enjoys exploring opportunity and considering every possibility for all his big decisions. So with four weeks left until this year’s NFL draft, Poles’ imagination is running wild.

He is the only general manager armed with two top-10 picks and has the privilege of kicking everything off with the No. 1 selection when the clock starts a little after 7 p.m. on April 25.

The presumption across the league is Poles will make the obvious decision and scoop up USC quarterback Caleb Williams without hesitation. The Chicago Bears general manager did little to dispel that notion as he talked with colleagues and reporters during this week’s league meetings at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes.

If there

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