For months leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, everyone and their mother had an opinion on Caleb Williams. Yet, it still felt as though the Chicago Bears had their mind made up for quite some time.
At least, general manager Ryan Poles did -- and that's really all that mattered.
Fast forward to this past weekend, draft weekend, that saw the Bears indeed select Williams just as everyone knew they would. Looking back on some of the opinions we had seen even a few months ago, from fans or media, or even "former scouts" and their opinions on Williams, the question had to be asked.
Fortunately, Pat McAfee asked the question.
"No. 1 overall, Caleb Williams ... we knew that forever. Did you know that forever?" McAfee asked Poles on the air, Wednesday.
Poles answered in typical coach-speak, to begin with, noting that they went through the process.
"As we spent more time with Caleb Williams it became clearer and clearer that he was gonna be our Quarterback..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2024
All the boxes were checked and we didn't care about what other people had to say"
Ryan Poles #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/6fNreCrlrx
Poles talked about how the film had his heart from the beginning, but as he got to know Williams personally, it became clearer and clearer that he was the pick.
Ryan Poles didn't care about anyone's opinion on Caleb Williams
A.J. Hawk asked Poles about all of the outside noise that's surrounded Williams for months now, hinting at all of the questions about his character, leadership or some of the interesting personal choices Williams makes when it comes to fashion, etc. Poles didn't blink when responding.
"With any relationship you're about to start, you have to see the person eye to eye," Poles said. He went on and talked about spending one-on-one time with Williams and getting to know him on a deeper level.
"Once all those boxes got checked, we really didn't care about the noise and what other people had to say."
You heard the man. There was no way he could have been talked out of drafting Williams. So, for all of the doubters over the past few months who questioned whether or not Williams would have gone no. 1 to the Bears, I think we can all equally rest assured that there was never a question in Poles' mind. The pick was always going to be Williams, period.
And, once Poles got to know him on a personal level, the decision became even easier.
So, again, for those who either wanted the Bears to draft someone else or simply hated on Williams for the sake of having something to hate on, the time is now to get on board. Williams is a Bear, and like it or not, he's going to take this organization to heights they've never seen before.