It has been a while since the Chicago Bears have been led by one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, but that might be changing in 2024.
Chicago chose former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, along with wide receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9 overall, dropping the USC wunderkind into an offense that also includes All-Pro receiver Keenan Allen, Pro Bowl wide receiver D.J. Moore, pass-catching tight end Cole Kmet and running backs D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert.
Williams flashed plenty of tantalizingly exciting athleticism and upside during a preseason in which he passed for 170 yards while adding 20 rushing yards, including a touchdown.
The coveted combination of poise under pressure in the pocket and playmaking ability to improvise when things break down have created plenty of optimism that a new era has dawned for the Bears.
NFL Executive’s Bold Caleb Williams Claim
While general manager Ryan Poles has built an ideal situation for Williams to walk into offensively, Chicago did not have one player ranked in the top-100 across the NFL, according to league insiders responding to an NFL survey.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Williams is about to change that, with at least one executive naming the Bears’ quarterback as the lone rookie who will crack the list ahead of the 2025 season.
“He just has uncoachable traits that make him unique, and you saw glimpses of that in the preseason,” an NFL personnel evaluator told Fowler. “He’s a natural creator. All of it will be a process for him early on, but the hype is already so high and he’s surrounded by legitimate playmakers. He will have to learn to play on time from the pocket and use the creative stuff when he needs to get out of trouble.”
If Williams can maximize the talent around him, and his playmaking ability creates opportunities for the Bears to become one of the more prolific in the league, he’ll be key cog in a bright future for Chicago.
