The Chicago Bears hold the #1 pick in the 2024 draft. That means they control the rights to USC quarterback Caleb Williams. It is well-known that several teams around the league have high grades on the former Heisman winner. Some have even used the word “generational” for him. While that might be a bit overselling, the kid obviously has fans. Perhaps the biggest one might be the Washington Commanders. Williams grew up in the D.C. area. Their new owner, Josh Harris, is an East Coast guy. He’s been known to target local products with his other sports teams. For example, since buying the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011, his team has selected players with East Coast roots in the 1st round six times.
This is absolutely something he’d sign off on. One of the minority owners in Harris’ group is Magic Johnson, who has deep roots in Los Angeles. Last but not least, the Commanders just hired Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator. He was USC’s quarterbacks coach last season and has a good relationship with Williams. It is hard not to wonder if they might be trying to make a push for the quarterback in the draft, meaning a trade with Chicago for the #1 pick.
Danny Kanell is a former national champion at Florida State and has covered college football for ESPN, FOX, and now CBS. He stated his belief that such a trade feels almost “inevitable” at this point.
This hinges entirely on the Chicago Bears’ evaluation of Williams.
If GM Ryan Poles believes he is the best quarterback in this draft, it is almost impossible to think he will trade the pick. Every insider believes the Bears are taking a QB and moving on from Justin Fields. If Williams is his #1, it won’t matter how big the offers are from Washington or anybody else. However, a trade becomes far more plausible if Poles doesn’t see much separation between Williams and the other top quarterbacks like Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The Bears could secure a lucrative package for moving down one spot while still landing a QB they like at #2.
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Poles has shown he doesn’t mind moving down if he’s confident he will still land the player he wants. He did it to a lesser extent last year when he swapped spots with Philadelphia at #9 so they could take Jalen Carter. If the Commanders really want Williams, and he isn’t sold on the kid being a superstar, it’s not hard to imagine a deal coming together. The Chicago Bears could even pull a swerve by taking Marvin Harrison Jr., reaffirming their commitment to Fields. There are plentiful options for this team worth exploring.
