Bears GM sounds off on RG3’s outlandish Williams take

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM sounds off on Robert Griffin III’s outlandish Caleb Williams take

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/26/24

We are less than one month out from the 2024 NFL Draft and seemingly everyone has an opinion on USC quarterback Caleb Williams likely going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

Robert Griffin III, the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, released a video on his X account last week stating that the way the Bears handled trading Justin Fields should be enough for Williams to “pull an Eli Manning” and refuse to play for the Bears if and when they draft him.

Caleb Williams should pull an Eli Manning and tell the Chicago Bears I AIN’T COMING. pic.twitter.com/g9Mx1cggsA
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 18, 2024

Bears general manager Ryan Poles heard Griffin’s remarks and addressed them point-blank during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday.

“It p----s me off a little bit, to be honest with you, because we were hired to break a cycle,” Poles said. “The same thing when I was in Kansas City — coach [Andy] Reid, all of us were brought there to break a cycle, and we did. And no one talks about those days anymore. It's all about what they are right now. So, I really believe we are about to break this cycle and get this city in a really good situation and win a lot of games.”

Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and recently acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen were all in attendance at USC’s pro day to evaluate Williams in-person. Eberflus reportedly came away impressed with what he saw.

If the Bears do, in fact, draft Williams, he will undoubtedly have sky-high expectations. Chicago has never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season, and the rookie QBs the team has started didn’t exactly find much success.

The team’s single-season record for rookie passing yards is 2,193, set by Mitch Trubisky in 2017, and the rookie touchdown passes mark is 11, set by Charlie O’Rourke in 1942.

More must-reads: