Things are expectedly heating up for the Chicago Bears and their looming offseason decisions, most notably what they will do at quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in hand and Justin Fields already under contract.
In recent comments made about Fields during an interview with WGN, Bears president Kevin Warren claimed to be a “big supporter” of the former No. 11 overall pick. The two have a history together back to their shared time in the Big 10 at the college level.
But Warren’s comments “raised some eyebrows” around the league, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio on February 19.
Kevin Warren ‘Raised Eyebrows’ With Justin Fields Comments
Anonymous Source: Kevin Warren ‘Knows Nothing About Players’
Florio notes the comments could cause some confusion around the NFL about the team’s messaging. He may also be speaking beyond his purview.
“This where the business guys get themselves in trouble,” an anonymous league source said, per Florio. “[Warren] knows nothing about players.”
That is a damning take for anyone hoping that Warren would be the guiding light. Warren has been asked at length about players, including during the press conference to announce their coaching staff changes. Fields was often a central figure in those lines of questioning.
At issue is the possibility Warren is stepping on toes at Halas Hall.
“What if those guys started giving their opinions about the new stadium that made his job more difficult?” the source said, per Florio.
Kevin Warren ‘Glad’ Justin Fields is on Bears
“I’m a supporter of Justin because I got a chance to work with him when I was commissioner of the Big Ten conference,” Warren told WGN’s Jarrett Payton in the interview that aired on February 13. “He is incredibly talented, he is smart, he works hard, and he wants to be a great NFL football player. And so now he just needs to make sure he has the support around him. He’s working hard.
“I would love to see him this offseason and make sure he’s totally healthy going into the season next year.
“Justin has a rare combination of intelligence, of size, of strength, and speed. You forget how big of a man he is until you’re up on him. He’s not a small man. And so I just think every year he’s going to continually get better. So I’m glad he’s on the Chicago Bears.”
Counter to Florio’s source, Warren also touted his collaborative effort with General Manager Ryan Poles in the football operations, making it clear he has faith in Poles to do his job.
Warren did not sound as though his role was strictly on the business side.
“One good thing about Ryan and I’s working relationship is the fact that we’re in this together,” Warren said. “I know he’s spending every single day, not only thinking about [Fields’ future and the No. 1 pick] but who to draft at No. 9, our current roster, what we’re gonna do in free agency, what are we doing from a contract negotiation standpoint. I’m sure he’s already starting to play out the draft in his mind.
“We’ll work together. But I have great trust, obviously, in Ryan, in [Assistant General Manager] Ian Cunningham, and all of our scouts. But this is that crucial time, and they’ve already been grinding away on it to be able to come together. So I look forward to going to the combine here later this month and then getting a chance to spend some time together.
“I’m very cognizant and conscientious that I need to be there to work hand-in-hand with Ryan, be supportive. Kind of challenge our thought process, but to make sure we come out of this … a much better football team.”
Part of the Plan
While this may have been a case of Warren overstepping or, most likely, simply speaking freely for himself, it could also play into the overarching strategy. Keeping the veil up about Fields could drive up the price on him and the No. 1 overall pick. The counterargument is that teams might simply wait the Bears out.
There are rumors that they have held discussions about keeping Fields and a potential draft pick at the position. But that is also viewed as unlikely for various reasons, not the least of which is sound asset management.