Last week, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III stirred the pot by suggesting that highly-touted prospect Caleb Williams should consider refusing to play for the Chicago Bears, should they select him with the #1 overall pick.
Griffin’s comments came amid speculation about the Bears ability to develop young talent, especially in light of the Justin Fields situation.
Caleb Williams should REFUSE to play for the Chicago #Bears, after how they treated Justin Fields, according to Robert Griffin III.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 18, 2024
“After everything that has happened with Justin Fields, can Caleb Williams really look at that and say, ‘This is an organization that has my best interest in mind, they’re going to develop me into the player that I want to become?'” Griffin remarked.
🏈 Robert Griffin III’s comments on Caleb Williams & Bears
🏈 Debunking QB narratives
🏈 Bears remaining cap space and some potential signings
🏈 Mailbag
🎥 https://t.co/1NRoymvfab#DaBears #NFL 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ORqECdbgKg
— Chicago Bears Central (@ChiBearsCentral) March 19, 2024
Feeling offended, Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed Griffin’s remarks during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
Poles expressed his frustration, calling Griffin’s comments unfair, particularly given that the Bears have a relatively new leadership regime in place.
“It pisses me off a little bit to be honest with you because we were hired to break a cycle,” Poles told McAfee. “The same thing when I was in Kansas City. Coach Reid, all of us were brought there to break a cycle. And we did.”
“No one talks about those days anymore. It’s all about what they are right now. I really believe we are about to break that cycle and get this city in a really good situation and win a lot of games.”
“So, the past is the past. I don’t worry about that at all. It’s all about where we’re going,” he concluded.
Ryan Poles on RG3's comments.
You can tell he did not appreciate them.. 😭 pic.twitter.com/fIz12fEaNj
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 26, 2024
Poles emphasized his belief in the current Bears leadership’s ability to turn the franchise around, citing past successes with similar challenges in Kansas City.
He reiterated his focus on the future and the team’s trajectory and made it clear that no one should looked down upon the proud franchise.
“At the end of the day, winning is all that matters in the NFL,” Poles added. “In order to silence their critics, the Bears have to start winning.”
.@RGIII responds to Ryan Poles 👀
Full Episode out tomorrow, tap in 📺: https://t.co/IPDk7dgO2z pic.twitter.com/Pf7Ezbm0Jf
— RG3 and The Ones (@rg3andtheones) March 27, 2024
Of course, Chicago is expected to draft Williams with the first overall pick whether he likes it or not.
What do you think of Williams?
Is he the generational prospect that many analysts make him out to be?
Will Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and/or Jayden Daniels end up being better than Williams?
Ryan Poles is locked in on Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/ofNFM7v1WW
— Bears History (@ChiBearsHistory) March 25, 2024
What about RGIII?
He’s become quite outspoken and controversial with his takes … Do you think he’s out-of-line with his opinion on the Bears???
ridiculous. These kids should be honored to be drafted by any team they are lucky enough to be on. Play a game they love & make a very good living. The people perpetuating this, RG3/Deion, are clowns & they are telling these kids they are better than everyone else. It’s pathetic
— NFTeeETH (@NFTeeETH) March 26, 2024