The Chicago Bears made an inevitable trade happen on Saturday, sending former starting QB Justin Fields away for a conditional 2024 NFL Draft pick. Though the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly weren’t seen as the top suitor for Fields’ services, the end result in Chicago still remains: It’s Caleb Williams or bust this offseason.
Caleb Williams Is the Obvious Choice for Chicago
With Fields out of the picture, it paves the way for Chicago to make arguably the most obvious draft pick in recent memory: select Williams.
The former USC quarterback has long since been seen as the top overall pick and the best quarterback option based on league opinion. Some even called Williams a generational talent and compared him to the favorable opinion of Andrew Luck coming out of Stanford all those years ago.
Aside from the lofty comparisons, the truth in Williams’ top draft billing is backed by merit, not myth. He is arguably one of the most athletic quarterbacks we’ve seen in some time, yet he presents a true pass-first mentality.
Williams won the Heisman Trophy two years ago and played the role of Super-Man for USC over the past two seasons. Let down far too often by lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball, Williams’ talent was never in doubt, though the victories didn’t follow.
As a prospect, Williams offers an incredible upside for the Chicago Bears as a franchise. While playing the role of Super-Man for the Trojans the past two seasons, Williams flashed his off-script ability as well as his ability to dissect defenses with his terrific pocket presence.
No matter the platform, Williams has shown to be able to accurately hit his targets at every level of the field. He’ll extend plays with the best of them and buy time in the pocket or outside of the structure of his offense.
Despite his elite athleticism on the field, Williams has shown to be one of the more passionate players in college football over the past handful of seasons.
Speaking to any former teammate of Williams further proved that, including hearing from former USC WR Brendan Rice during the 2024 NFL Combine.
“(Caleb)’s goal was to outwork everyone in the building,” Rice said during Combine interviews. “He just wanted everyone to be the best version of themselves, and he wouldn’t stop until everyone gave it their all.”
With the move to send Fields away, the Bears are left with Tyson Bagent on the roster at quarterback. Though there’s nothing against the former Senior Bowl standout and college football record-setter, Williams offers potential, promise, and an elite set of skills that no one recently has presented.
Fields is gone, and Williams is the favorite to be selected by the Bears for very, very good reason.
KEEP READING: List of Chicago Bears Draft Picks in 2024
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