CHICAGO — Some calculated decisions aimed at fulfilling long-range plans — plus a dose of good fortune — have put Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles in the most enviable position for the past 3 1/2 months.

Since last season ended, Poles has been able to chart critical steps in his bid to turn the franchise into a perennial contender while knowing that the NFL draft, which begins Thursday night in Detroit, offers a measure of hope that has been fleeting at Halas Hall over the last couple of decades.

The Bears have taken shots at quarterbacks since 2000 — most notably Justin Fields, Mitch Trubisky, Jay Cutler and Rex Grossman — but dreams have been short-lived and postseason success has been scarce.

Nothing is guaranteed even as the Bears move full speed ahead toward drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, but armed with two selections in the top nine, Poles has an opportunity to transform a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since Jan. 16, 2011.

Discussing that opportunity Tuesday at Halas Hall with roughly 55 hours remaining, Poles expressed confidence his team will emerge on the other side of the weekend much different from the one that went 10-24 over the last two seasons.

The Bears are going to draft Williams with the top pick, although Poles said you’ll have to wait to hear it officially.

“Everyone has got to tune in on Thursday to watch and figure out,” he said. “But I feel really good about our process and where we are and where we’re headed. We know what we’re going to do.”

By waiting a year to address the quarterback situation and sticking with Justin Fields for the 2023 season, Poles was able to improve the infrastructure around the position and create what appears to be a stable environment for Williams.

It’s worth watching how C.J. Stroud continues to develop in Houston after one of the finest rookie seasons in NFL history, as the Bears could have had him with last year’s No. 1 pick. Heck, the Carolina Panthers could have chosen Stroud instead of Bryce Young a year ago after trading with the Bears for the top pick, and then the Bears probably wouldn’t be sitting here at No. 1 this year. That’s part of the good fortune that has shined on the organization.

There’s a chance to build around Williams with the ninth pick, and the strength of this draft — quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive tackles — sets up well with areas that could be “wants” for the Bears. It’s also a spot where edge rushers or perhaps a defensive tackle could come off the board.

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