Bears Aren't Saying Who No. 1 Pick In The NFL Draft Will Be Probably For A Good Reason

DETROIT – The NFL invests a lot of money and effort turning the NFL draft, into a national television event, which is simply amazing because the exercise is ultimately somebody calling out a bunch of names.

But America gobbles it up as if it was cake with no calories. Last year, for example, an unduplicated audience of approximately 54.4 million watched the three-day event and another 312,000 people attended in Kansas City.

So the last thing the league wants is for the NFL draft's pinnacle moment to be anti-climactic. 

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 15:  head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears talks to General Manager Ryan Poles before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

The NFL Draft Doesn't Need Anti-Climactic Moment 

The last thing the NFL wants is for everyone to know the NFL draft doesn't really start with the first overall pick, because everyone knows days in advance who that pick is.

This, of course, presents something of a challenge because rarely is the first pick a surprise and that includes this year. The Chicago Bears, with the No. 1 overall pick of the draft, will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with that premier pick.

Everyone knows this. 

There is zero competitive disadvantage at stake in the Bears admitting this. But Bears general manager Ryan Poles on Tuesday refused to confirm what everyone already knows.

"So, unfortunately, it's one of those things I think everyone has to tune in on Thursday to watch and figure out," Poles said at the team's pre-draft press conference. "But I feel really good about our process and where we are and where we're headed. 

"So, yeah, we know what we're going to do, but everyone is going to have to wait until Thursday to go there."

Why? 

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: Caleb Williams #QB14 of USC poses for portraits at the Indiana Convention Center on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Ryan Poles: Excitement Thursday

Because through channels that are not official but nonetheless are respected by clubs, the NFL has in the past suggested to some clubs it would be bad form to tip their pick days before it appears on national television. That's what a former NFL employee told OutKick has previously happened to protect the interest and maybe even the integrity of the event.

Poles denied that has happened this year. At least as it pertains to him.

"No one has told me, so it's my personal deal," he said. "Let's have some excitement on Thursday, right?"

That's actually kind of fair. And smart.

The NFL has an entertainment drama it wants to maximize. Why wouldn't Poles protect that as a courtesy?

It still doesn't change the fact the pick is going to be Caleb Williams.

It still doesn't keep journalism nerds such as, well, me from tipping you to the fact the Bears only hosted one quarterback during their top 30 visits – that was Williams. And Williams visited only one team – that was the Bears.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 24: General manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears attends the game between the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on December 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Williams Confirms Bears' Info

And it doesn't keep Poles from trying to make it interesting by suggesting some sort of fanciful misdirection is afoot.

"The journey to collect all the information is different for everyone," Poles said, offering a counterpoint to incontrovertible evidence that points at Williams as the pick.

"There are guys on our board that are high that didn't come in for their visit that we've had other touchpoints. Our network in the building knows the player inside and out that we really, really trust. You have the combine. There are different kinds of touchpoints. You don't necessarily have to bring everybody in on a visit."

The Bears had the most "touchpoints" with Williams. They used the top 30 visit, for example, to put him with possible or future teammates and coaches.

So what did the Bears learn from that investigation about Williams?

"I think it just confirmed a lot of the information that we got," Poles said. "We're kind of testing where his football understanding is, that part. Getting him with the coaches, that was a very positive interaction there. Then getting him with some of our players.

"That's important to us. We're in a really good place with our culture in our locker room. As much as I can, I want those guys a part of the process of building this team. I trust their feedback. I think that chemistry is really important, so that's why we did that."

So who do the Bears think they're getting when they indeed select Williams with the top overall pick?

"Yeah, really intelligent guy," Poles said. "Came across as a really good teammate, easy to talk to, down to earth. We've talked through this process about the whole Hollywood thing. He's all ball, wants to work, wants to get better, wants to win as a team. 

"That's the number one thing for him on top of being successful. So I think the biggest thing is does he fit in our culture and what we're trying to do, and all signs were that he does. That was positive."

Positive is a good word to repeat here. Because everyone is positive the Bears are picking Caleb Williams.