The Chicago Bears currently hold the first and fourth overall picks in the upcoming NFL draft. General Manager Ryan Poles faces significant decisions in the coming months, with the choice of quarterback playing a pivotal role in shaping his legacy with the Bears. Poles must decide whether to continue building around current quarterback Justin Fields or opt for a new quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.
The top prospects in this draft class include USC QB Caleb Williams and North Carolina QB Drake Maye. While Williams is widely expected to be the number one pick, recent comments made to Ryan Kartje of the L.A. Times suggest some uncertainty. According to Kartje’s report, Williams mentioned that declaring for the draft is still “a game-time decision”.
What if Caleb Williams doesn’t declare for the 2024 NFL Draft?
The deadline for declaring for the 2024 NFL draft is January 15th. However, if Caleb Williams decides to return to USC, it would be a highly surprising turn of events.
The introduction of NIL deals, enabling college athletes to earn income through their names, could serve as an incentive for certain college stars to extend their time in school. In 2023, Williams ranks among the top 5 in NIL earnings, accumulating an estimated $2.7 million.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
How influential is USC head coach Lincoln Riley in this decision? It seems likely that Riley would prefer Williams to return, but there are doubts. Williams would be passing up a lucrative $38 million deal with a $24.8 million signing bonus if he were to be selected first overall in the upcoming April draft.
While the reasons behind Williams comments are unclear, skepticism should remain until there is concrete evidence of him not declaring for the draft. However, if he were to stay at USC, it might be in the best interest of the Chicago Bears to focus on building around Justin Fields and explore trading back if they were to secure the number 1 overall pick.
Justin Fields vs Caleb Williams: Who should be the Bears quarterback next season?
To enjoy an entertaining analysis of Justin Fields, Caleb Williams, and other Bears draft discussions, watch the video below or listen to the podcast on your preferred platform.
Yeah, no way do you want to draft a guy like that. He’s a little daddy’s boy diva queen.
Plus he’s the most over rated player going into the draft.
This dude has got to be freaking kidding me. He’s expected to go as the #1 overall draft pick in the NFL. Ok, now what if he returns to college football next year and suffers a horrific season ending injury or possibly even career ending? Or what if he knocks himself out of even the first round of the 2025 draft because he plays terribly the next season in college? This kid has the opportunity of a lifetime here and now and all he wants to do is play mind games. At this point I’m ok with not drafting Williams.… Read more »
I reported, in these comments months ago, that Williams may well stay at USC next year, and you all downvoted me into oblivion. This is not unexpected whatsoever.
What is this infatuation with Caleb Williams coming to the Bears?
IMO, the Bears should unload Fields and trade Carolina’s 2nd rounder in ’25 for Kyler Murray. Then trade the #1 pick, and trade back from #4 and draft Rome Odunzae. He’s every bit the player as Maserati-Marv, simply without the fan-fare. Don’t waste a high pick on another pass-rusher in this highly rated under performing class. Try and sign Danielle Hunter and Christian Wilkins to round out what could be, with their signings, the best DL the Bears have ever rolled out.