Several of the top insiders in the NFL have weighed in on the Chicago Bears’ anticipated plans for the upcoming 2024 draft. All of them are in agreement on two things. The team plans to trade Justin Fields at some point soon, and then they will take a quarterback #1 overall. From what they’ve heard from several sources around the league, almost everybody thinks that quarterback will be Caleb Williams of USC. GM Ryan Poles and the scouts see a player that could be special. The only thing left on the agenda is interviewing him to get comfortable with the person.
Often, in these cases, it’s vital to get information from local guys, too. There are several instances where what they hear differs from what the national insiders have. Adam Jahns of The Athletic is among the most respected on the Bears beat. He’s been listening to several people in and around the organization as well as sources around the league. He went on the I’m Not Gon Hold You podcast with Scott Lewis to discuss the Bears quarterback situation. Jahns was asked point blank what he thinks they’ll do based on what he’s heard.
His answer could not get any clearer.
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Caleb Williams is a lock to be a Bear or the greatest coverup ever.
It’s possible Poles may have hatched one of the best misdirection campaigns in NFL history with this story. Perhaps it is an effort to jack up the price tag for the #1 pick in a trade. However, that doesn’t feel like the case. Last year, word emerged early that the Bears were open to trading the pick. This time, there is no such sense. It feels like only a record-breaking offer will move them off that spot. This usually means the GM is committed to staying put and taking the quarterback of their preference.
There is no denying Caleb Williams has loads of potential. I did a scouting report on him recently and came away impressed. He has almost every tool you could want. He has a strong arm, throws with great accuracy, is highly mobile, senses pressure well, and is a magician in improvising. I consider him a hybrid of Brett Favre (on-the-fly wizardry and iffy ball security) and Aaron Rodgers (accuracy and concerns about diva mentality). There is no doubt the young man has the potential to be great. It depends on if the Bears can give him the necessary support to make it happen.
