The scariest possible outcome for the Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft

Prior to the prospects testing at the NFL Combine, the Chicago Bears' general manager, Ryan Poles, and head coach, Matt Eberflus, met with the media to discuss the dire offseason topics at hand.

Without surprise, Justin Fields and the upcoming NFL draft were two big topics discussed.

Both Poles and Eberflus were vague in their responses, as expected. That being said, there were some truths to be found within what the two said in their brief time before the media.

Chicago Bears could go down an unforeseen path amid 2024 NFL Draft

The consensus idea is that the Chicago Bears will select Caleb Williams — or Drake Maye — with the No. 1 pick, then pick again at No. 9. Ryan Poles could trade down, though, that doesn't appear to be the route they're going.

After hearing a few select phrases, a scary reality rang through my brain as a possible outcome of the upcoming draft.

"Our approach [to having the No. 1 pick again is exactly the same, in terms of we got to look at every option and determine what is best for our team. Obviously, we chose to trade back last year, and I think that helped our team out a lot."

- Ryan Poles, Chicago Bears GM

Another part of Poles' press conference that stood out was a reference he brought up about comparing quarterbacks to artists and surgeons. After the statement was made, Poles was asked whether he preferred an artist or a surgeon. His response: "A winner."

"The wiring of a quarterback, obviously, No. 1 is leadership. You gotta be a great leader. You gotta be resilient. You gotta be able to handle criticism. Then, the physical traits; that's a big part of it. The accuracy, the timing, the platform, all the things you talk about with that. And then, being a winner. That's what it comes down to. All these teams that do things at the end of the season, they have winners at the quarterback spot."

- Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears HC

"I have been looking at quarterbacks all my life. I know what a good quarterback looks like, and what's hard on the defense. The guy that has the ability to create. The guy that has the ability to throw with timing and accuracy. And the guy that can move the ball down the field when it's a critical moment, like 3rd down, two minute, all those critical moments. I have always looked at that, and that's a fun process for me."

- Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears HC

"I look at the guys that can operate 3rd-down, two minute, and the end-of-the-game situations. That is a separator to me. And then you look at toughness. Toughness, for a quarterback, is about the mental toughness to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball. And also having the discernment to be able to move out of the pocket and create when it is necessary. They come in all different shapes and sizes."

- Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears HC

So, okay, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus said all that. Why does that sound scary? Well, let's look at what the reality of these quotes could look like in real life.