The Chicago Bears are in the exact same spot they were last year, holding the #1 pick in the draft. This is only the seventh time such a thing has happened in the entire Super Bowl era. GM Ryan Poles broke tradition the first time by trading the pick last year to Carolina for a bounty of assets. That package resulted in D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, the Panthers’ 1st in 2024 and a 2nd in 2025. That 1st has since become the #1 pick once again. Many wonder if Poles might repeat the same tactic again. However, circumstances are different this time. Justin Fields hasn’t made the progress many in the building hoped for. His rookie contract is also entering its final year. On top of all that, many feel this draft will feature a once-in-a-decade talent at quarterback in USC’s Caleb Williams.
It feels like the right time for a change at the position. Most around the NFL believe this is what will happen. However, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network has it on good authority that the trade offers for that pick will far exceed anything the Bears got last year. He explained how crazy it could get on The Rich Eisen Show.
This should tell people something about Caleb Williams.
If teams are willing to pay such exorbitant prices to secure the young quarterback, maybe that is a warning sign the Bears should choose to draft him instead. The only reason teams are offering that much is because they believe Williams has the capacity to be a superstar. Given the Bears’ tortured history at the position, it might be wise to let him explore that potential in Chicago. Nobody disputes his talent. The kid has a great arm, natural accuracy, abnormal improvisational skills, and a strong competitive streak.
Much of this depends on how big the gulf between Williams and the other two top quarterbacks is. Drake Maye is considered the most talented QB in the class, drawing comparisons to Justin Herbert and Josh Allen. The problem is he comes from a school (North Carolina) that already burned the Bears once at QB. He also has a reputation for being somewhat of a gunslinger. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman trophy and has Lamar Jackson-level speed as a runner. However, he’s also viewed as dangerously skinny and doesn’t have the strongest arm.
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It feels like the upcoming interview process this month could prove decisive one way or another.
