Bears GM Ryan Poles 'p***** off' after ex-NFL star tells Caleb Williams to 'pull an Eli Manning' ahead of projected No 1 overall draft pick

Bears general manager Ryan Poles did not mince his words when reminded that Caleb Williams has been advised to 'pull an Eli Manning' ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Former quarterback turned ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III recently suggested that Williams, the projected No 1 pick, should not play in Chicago. 

The Bears hold the No 1 pick for the draft, which takes place in Detroit next month. They are expected to draft former the USC and Oklahoma quarterback.

RGIII questioned whether the Bears would have the quarterback's 'best interest in mind', citing the team's handling of Justin Fields. 

Griffin also referenced the 2004 Draft, when the Chargers had the No 1 overall choice but quarterback Eli Manning said he had no interest in playing for San Diego. The Chargers drafted him anyway before eventually trading him.

'It p***** me off a little bit, to be honest with you, because we were hired to break a cycle,' the 36-year-old Poles told Pat McAfee. 

'The same thing when I was in Kansas City, Coach (Andy) Reid, all of us were brought there to change a cycle and we did — and no one talks about those days anymore. It's all about what they are right now.

'I really believe we're about to break this 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 about where we're going.'  

The Bears drafted Fields No 11 overall in 2021 and recently traded the quarterback to the Steelers for sixth-round pick. 

'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 asked.

'Can Caleb Williams really look at that and say: "This organization is going to help get me where I want to go?" I don't think it's saying that.'