Justin Fields had lots of fans in and around Chicago. That much was obvious from how heated arguments got on social media whenever the idea of the Bears moving on from him came up. Contrary to popular myth, this wasn’t limited to fans. More than a few current and former players felt the Bears were making a mistake by moving on from Fields. Robert Griffin III ranted about. Chris Simms talked about it. Another prominent supporter was former Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who felt Fields was the type of athlete and leader you want in the locker room.
He was vocal about it for weeks after the season ended. So when the move finally came when the Bears traded him to Pittsburgh, Long was sad. The team was giving up too soon. Still, there was little choice but to move on. Long decided it was time to get familiar with Caleb Williams, the quarterback heavily favored to go #1 overall to Chicago in April. He dug into the tape going back multiple years. After lots of study, Long reached a realization. He shared it with Dan Wiederer on the Take The North podcast.
“This guy Caleb Williams jumps off the page to me,” Long said. “Not only from a throwing perspective but a creativity perspective. He makes the game look like art. He has a je ne sais quoi about his game. He’s got it. What more do you want me to tell you?”
What Long can tell you is if he were in Bears GM Ryan Poles’ shoes, he would take Williams without hesitation.
“In my opinion, he gives the Bears the best chance moving forward at the quarterback position,” Long said. “When you watch the Super Bowl, when you watch the playoffs, it’s the quarterbacks who have the je ne sais quoi who tend to win these Super Bowls.”
Justin Fields supporters have to trust the Bears.
It’s not easy. This organization’s track record at quarterback speaks for itself. Still, all the signs point to them making the smart decision. Almost every evaluator agrees Williams is the best quarterback prospect in this class and one of the best of the past decade. His creativity, intelligence, poise, and competitiveness make up an exciting talent. He excelled for three years at two high-profile programs. If anybody is equipped to handle the pressures of playing in Chicago, it would be him.
While he may not be the athlete Justin Fields was, Williams should be a better quarterback. That is what Long refers to. He can play the position at a high level. For all the highlights Fields put together, he was sorely lacking as a professional passer. It is why the Bears only got a future 6th round pick for him. Nobody can say what the future will be for Williams in Chicago, but what Long says is true. Factoring everything in, the Bears made the right decision might resetting at quarterback.
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Scooby – on a side note sounds like Bowers has a 30 visit with the Bears so still interest there.
Yep, agreed with Kyle here. QB is the most important position, and you can’t get to where you want to go with below average inconsistent play. Position we are in it has been the easiest draft decision Poles has made with the top of this class. 30 days until it’s over. Can’t wait to see CW in camp.
I just want to go on record now and say Caleb will go 17-0 in his first year as a 🐻! Now Barry and Arnie can have their told ya moment. I do know one thing, Caleb will have a lot more wins than Justin next year!!!
@Arnie…well Arnie i hate to tell you brother but have to show you tough love…..myself, Bearcub, Jim Jones, Sam and a few others been 100% right while you have been 100% wrong. Maybe instead of arguing with us you should listen to us. And if you think a great QB doesnt make a difference im not the delusional one my friend. How great were the colts when Manning left? Hell how great were the Colts when luck left? How great was New England when Brady left? How great was TB when Brady left? How have the Saints been? Oh yeah,… Read more »
One simple fact remains; C Williams will be better served by S Waldron than any OC the Bears served J Fields with. Would have been fun and interesting to watch J Fields with Waldron and this current roster, but now we will wait with baited breath for the 24 Draft and what R Poles ultimately decides at #1.