Not to over-milk a storyline that’ll linger long after Super Bowl Sunday and well into the NFL offseason, but let’s face it: The Chicago Bears are at the ultimate crossroads as a franchise. They made out really well last year when they traded the No. 1 overall pick. They have that premium asset again this time around thanks to the debacle that has been the Carolina Panthers.
Armed also with the ninth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’d be tempting for Bears GM Ryan Poles to trade out of the top pick yet again for another massive haul.
However, much to the relief of yours truly and most sensible Bears fans, it seems like Poles and the Chicago brass fully intend to remain at No. 1, barring an absolutely outrageous offer from someone who wants to move up.
“If someone is going to pry the No. 1 overall selection away from the Bears, they are going to have to pay — and pay a lot.
Chicago would need a historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation to move off the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, sources say. In the words of one source, it would have to be ‘crazy.'”
Last I checked the odds at the major sportsbooks, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is anywhere from a -900 to -1300 prohibitive favorite to be the No. 1 pick. That obviously doesn’t bode well for Justin Fields’ future in the Windy City.
Just like he was in college, Fields is a “see-it” thrower who can’t pull the trigger with anticipation on any kind of consistent basis. Part of that stems from the trauma of bad pass protection; some of it clearly appears to be issues with seeing the field.
As dynamic as Fields is as a runner, he hasn’t shown the ability to consistently make defenses pay from the pocket. Additionally, his throwing mechanics are wonky as f*ck, which leads to spotty accuracy and an arrhythmic Bears passing attack.
Precise as Merril Hoge has been in past drafts on top QB prospects, it’s baffling that Hoge doesn’t think Williams is “special” at all. Yeah. I guess moving up in the pocket, throwing a moon ball on the run about 50 yards in the air to the opposite hash and hitting a wide receiver perfectly in stride isn’t that special.
There are so many plays like this on Williams’ USC film over the past two years. Not sure what Hoge is looking at. Sure, the Patrick Mahomes comparisons are a little ridiculous, but Williams is at least in the ballpark of Mahomes when it comes to arm strength, throwing with accuracy on the move and making off-schedule plays.
Ryan Poles has had a largely successful tenure as Bears GM. Other than the Chase Claypool trade, what ill can you really speak of him personnel-wise? Time will tell if Matt Eberflus is the right head coach, or if Chicago’s improvement on defense over the back half of last season was more due to the prowess of ex-Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who has an unglorified role as a “senior defensive analyst” but was absolutely cooking in Carolina on Matt Rhule’s staff.
To me, the Fields vs. Williams debate isn’t really a debate. Fields has the toughness and endearing intangibles that make you want to root for him, and want to blame Luke Getsy for his lack of development. I can hold that belief, and recognize that Fields and the Bears mutually benefit in every conceivable way from a fresh start.
Caleb Williams is also a better prospect coming out of college than Fields was at Ohio State, and it ain’t close. Glad to see this Bears is, by all indications, going to take the freaking swing of the bat this time. They might finally have a franchise quarterback in Williams for the first time in their entire modern history.
Here’s hoping that RapSheet’s highly credible report rings true in late April. Other than Connor Bedard with the Blackhawks, there hasn’t been much for the great city of Chicago to look forward to sports-wise of late.
