Halas Intrigue Bears Report: Talking rosters and stadiums

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Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a quarterback in Justin Fields, but will the rest of the offense measure up? And the team appears to take another step toward a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Read the latest coverage and analysis below.

1. Supporting cast

Bears general manager Ryan Poles is not one of those smug authority figures who thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, has all the answers and bristles at any suggestion he's doing something wrong.

At 36, he's unpolished, but also confident, resolute, sincere and as humble as a rookie GM for a founding NFL franchise should be. So far, he looks the part — a young, forward-thinking guy who grew up in the trenches, learned well during his 13 years in the Chiefs School of Management and has a good grasp of 21st-century athletes, technology and culture. Most of all the athletes — what makes them tick and how they need to be managed. Let's put it this way: If he gets the quarterback right, he'll be a success.

There's the rub, of course. He has to get the quarterback right. Poles had a head start on succeeding where others failed by inheriting Justin Fields — a potential franchise quarterback who more than just the Bears were in love with when he was drafted 11th overall by Ryan Pace in 2021.

But as he re-built the Bears in the offseason, Poles was criticized for undercutting that initial advantage by failing to give Fields the support he needed. Poles' first two draft picks were defensive players — cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker. His offensive help in free agency was modest at best — center Lucas Patrick (two years, $8 million) and wide receiver Byron Pringle (one year, $4.125 million).

Entering training camp, the Bears were either nondescript, unproven or in flux at every position group but running back. So the criticism still stands. If Fields falters and another quarterback search is on in 2023, Poles will be accused of setting him up to fail in a defining season.

Poles, of course, doesn't see it that way.

Justin Fields' supporting cast in the spotlight

Bears GM Ryan Poles pushed back against the criticism that he has not given Fields the support and weapons he needs to succeed — mentioning Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet, Velus Jones and an improving offensive line as elements that will benefit Fields' development.

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2. House hunters

The Bears will unveil conceptual plans for their potential new home in Arlington Heights on Sept. 8.

The meeting, which will be held at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, will detail what a Bears statement called "one of the largest development projects in Illinois state history." The stadium site will feature a "transit-oriented mixed-use entertainment district." The meeting will not feature specifics about a stadium design.

The Bears are in escrow for the former Arlington Racetrack site, for which they signed a $197.2 million purchase agreement last year. President/CEO Ted Phillips said in January he anticipated closing on the land to take until the end of this year and possibly even drag into early 2023.

"Our focus for long-term development is exclusively on that property at Arlington Park," Phillips said in January.

Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said neither he nor members of the Arlington Heights village board would be part of the community meeting intended to field concerns and suggestions from residents of the suburb.

But Hayes said he expects the village to take up more substantial discussion about their negotiations with the team later this month.

"We expect to get this ball rolling soon," Hayes said.

Bears to unveil plans for Arlington Heights stadium site

The Bears will unveil conceptual plans for their potential new home in Arlington Heights on Sept. 8, the team said Thursday.

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3. Trubisky 2.0

When Mitch Trubisky takes the field Sept. 11, it will have been 609 days since his last start, a Bears playoff loss in New Orleans.

A lot has changed since.

Trubisky left the Bears after the 2020 season and spent a redshirt year with the Bills, throwing only eight passes but learning at the feet of Josh Allen, one of the league's best quarterbacks. His gap year deodorized his Bears struggles enough that the Steelers signed him to a two-year, $14 million deal in March.

"I had a lot of growth off the field, as well — becoming a father, getting married," he told the Sun-Times, standing in front of his black and yellow locker. "But this is the position I wanted to be in — to be in a position to compete and get back on the field. And to prove I can be a starter in this league."

His second act as a starter is ready to begin.

Mitch Trubisky's second act awaits

When Trubisky takes the field Sept. 11, it will have been 609 days since his last start, a Bears playoff loss in New Orleans. A lot has changed since.

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4. In other news

Jason Lieser has seven questions for the Bears.
GM Ryan Poles dumps most of the players he inherited from predecessor Ryan Pace.
Coach Matt Eberflus is embracing the Bears' youth movement.
Poles is optimistic that the team will reach a long-term deal with Roquan Smith.
The Bears are betting on the pedigree of Alex Leatherwood and Teven Jenkins.
The Bears put wide receiver N'Keal Harry on injured reserve.
Will Justin Fields have the weapons he needs at wide receiver?
Center Sam Mustipher says the Bears offense is ready to "prove everybody wrong."
Poles claimed a league-high six players off the waiver wire Wednesday, including offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who was the No. 17 overall pick last year.
Safety Jaquan Brisker returns from injury with 'Takeaway King' dreams.
The Bears added 14 players to their practice squad.

5. From the podcast

Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down Ryan Poles' take on Roquan Smith and Teven Jenkins — and detail the news that broke about the Arlington Heights stadium project. LISTEN HERE.

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