INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Before Ryan Poles could begin this fascinating and franchise-altering offseason for the Bears’ future, he first had to find the right traits within himself.

Poles recognizes his entire tenure as the Bears’ general manager – and really his reputation as an NFL executive – will ultimately be determined by whether or not he makes the right decision at quarterback this offseason. He has been overwhelmed by calls and texts from around the league, curious for what comes next. There have been public cries in Chicago for Caleb Williams, private support inside of Halas Hall for the return of Justin Fields, and many scenarios in which this can all go.

Through it all, Poles has channeled a calm presence and opened a clear mind.

“It will not be based on fear,” Poles said. “Of what could happen with this and what could happen with that.”

Once again, Poles holds the cards for the NFL’s offseason ahead. He owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the rights to either select Williams as the Bears’ next franchise quarterback or invest around Fields and seek a massive haul for the top selection.

Poles is spending this week in Indianapolis turning over every stone to make this decision – listening to offers for the first overall pick or potential trade packages to land the 24-year-old Fields. The Bears also will be open to offers on the ninth pick in the draft as well.

“My phone won’t stop ringing,” Poles said.

The Bears are in this position because of the blockbuster trade they struck last March, sending the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for two first-round picks, two second-round slots and wide receiver DJ Moore. Carolina drafted quarterback Bryce Young and struggled considerably, finishing 2-15 and delivering the top selection back to Chicago for this year.

Poles reached that deal at the NFL Combine last year, when he was open for business seeking a trade down. The circumstances this time are different because of the Heisman Trophy-winning star Williams standing out as the clear top quarterback in this draft class.

The Bears will meet with the 22-year-old Williams for the first time this week inside a suite at Lucas Oil Stadium, an imperative step in matching character to talent.

“You have to be a great leader, you got to be resilient, you got to be able to handle criticism,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “And then obviously the physical traits. That’s a big part of it. The accuracy, the timing, the platform, all the things you talk about. And then being a winner. All these teams that do things at the end of the season, they have winners at the quarterback spot.”

Throughout this week, the Bears will also host Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Bo Nix (Oregon) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) inside their suite as they conduct due diligence on each of their options in this draft. Poles has maintained a dialogue with Fields, hoping to find the right fit for his future if a trade is the ultimate route.

Poles hopes to leave Indianapolis with clarity on this quarterback class and a list of trade offers from which to choose.

“This is an opportunity for us to continue to gather information,” Poles said. “Learn about the different players in the draft, listen to what opportunities could come up, and then at the end of the day, we’re going to make the best decision that we can for the Chicago Bears.

“We’re going to put our information together and make the best decision because at the end of the day, we’ll always throw our decision-making against our core deal, which is win championships and sustain success for a long period of time.”

Cornerstone deal

Jaylon Johnson has understood all along that his future with the Bears could first be set with the franchise tag. Now, there’s hope that’s not the case.

The Bears and Johnson have made progress towards a long-term contract extension and that deal could come to fruition before the March 5 deadline for the franchise tag.

“Conversations are going well at this time,” Poles said. “We feel like we’ve done a really good job coming to the table strong and showing the respect that he’s due just in terms of his production through his career and really an emphasis on the turnovers he created this past year. Our expectation is that’s going to continue to go as he’s with the Bears.

“When I say come strong, that means cash flows are strong, guarantees are strong, the term is strong for him. Being with his age, there’s a really good opportunity to go back to the market again and continue to earn money and play well and hopefully that’s with the Bears for a long period of time. So, I’m excited about that.

“It takes two to tango, and you’ve got to find a place that everyone feels comfortable with. So, I feel really good about that situation.”

Johnson’s agent will be present in Indianapolis later this week and the two sides could continue their ongoing negotiations, which began in earnest last year.

The 24-year-old Johnson enjoyed a breakout season in which he hauled in four interceptions and earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career. He was rated the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Last August, Johnson himself admitted he wasn’t seeking to reset the market for cornerback contracts; he simply wanted a fair contract and financial stability. But his performance on the field altered those negotiations and the Bears are now willing to pay the premium Johnson has warranted.

Johnson has hoped all along he could remain with the Bears.

“I just couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” Johnson said in January. “It’s easy to say, oh, you want out of somewhere until you get it and then it’s like, ‘Ah, this may not be quite what I want.’ But I would say for me, I want to stay here, and I want to not make that transition now. I feel like we’re building something special too, especially with the guys in the locker room. I mean, it’s something I can’t get anywhere else. I would like to stay and continue to build, make it better. And (shoot), I want to win some games and get to the playoffs and make a push with the Chicago name too.”

On the offensive

In cleaning house of his offensive coaching staff, Eberflus sought to streamline operations with a different structure.

The Bears hired Shane Waldron as their new offensive coordinator in January, then brought in Thomas Brown as their new passing game coordinator and appointed offensive line coach Chris Morgan as their run game coordinator.

“I really think it’s important that they’re all cohesive,” Eberflus said. “I sat down and met with all three of those guys individually and at the same time. Our offense is going to be a direct reflection of those three relationships: how we coordinate the run and the pass and overall coordination of those in situations during the course of the game.”

The changes arrived after the Bears fired former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy at the end of the season. Eberflus believed that his offense was falling short of its potential and sought out to hire the next leader of this offense. Chicago also dismissed quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, running backs coach Omar Young, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and assistant offensive line coach Tim Zetts. Morgan and tight ends coach Jim Dray remained on staff.

Waldron was a coveted candidate for the Bears from the start of their search. During three years as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, he helped journeyman quarterback Geno Smith become the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Future Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll offered a strong endorsement of Waldron to Eberflus, which helped sell him on the hire.

“He just gleamed about Shane and talked about him at length, about his ability to adapt and adjust and what he did with the quarterbacks that were there in Seattle,” Eberflus said. “So, I was very comfortable moving forward with Shane in that. It’s really about his track record. When you have (Carroll) that was with him say those words about him and talk to me at length about it and me watch the tape and what he actually did with all those quarterbacks — to me, that’s proof.”

Let’s play a game

For each prospect to enter the Bears’ suite inside of Lucas Oil Stadium, there will be a challenge presented: darts or putt-putt golf?

The Bears began this method of their prospect meetings last year at the NFL Combine, a drill that reveals aspects of each individual’s character and makeup. They will take on a member of Chicago’s coaching staff or front office in these challenges.

“I like putting,” Eberflus said. “(But) I’m pretty good at both.”

The concept was one that the Bears believed helped in their evaluations last year. While it’s a unique aspect of this process, the prospects were drawn to the idea.

“It gets your mind going and relaxes you to open up and talking,” said Paris Johnson Jr., who was selected by the Cardinals.

“That Bears interview, I’m always going to remember.”

Keep Pounding

It was last year at the NFL Combine when Poles found the trade match to deal the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That suitor was now-former Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer, who was preparing to stake his job on the line with a bold move to land a quarterback.

The Panthers are in a problematic place now, having fired Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich and entered this offseason without a first-round pick. The Bears have come to find this deal with a gift that has kept giving.

“I thought it worked out really well,” Poles said. “Just adding two good players like Darnell (Wright) and DJ (Moore). Had no idea this would work out where it would be the first overall pick, but I would say that’s successful and a future 2 as well. It worked out well for us and we’ll keep growing off it.”