The Chicago Bears are set to reap a massive reward from the risky trade they made with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago has Carolina’s first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, thanks to its trade down from No. 1 to No. 9 this past year. Carolina is in pole position to secure the worst record in the NFL with three weeks to go.
That would mean Chicago will again own the top pick in April. According to Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan, the Bears will use that pick on USC QB Caleb Williams.
Chicago Bears Expected To Draft USC QB Caleb Williams
Caplan reported that “GM Ryan Poles didn’t draft Justin Fields, so there’s no allegiance to him. Williams will be the selection if he checks out well during the pre-draft process. This team must get the quarterback situation right going forward and for the future, which they haven’t done in decades.”
Williams is the heavy betting favorite to go first overall, regardless of which team lands the pick. Now, the 5-9 Bears are coming off a 20-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns that likely ended their playoff chances. Chicago appeared to be headed toward a full reset across its coaching staff until it won three of its last five games.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
QB Justin Fields has been at the center of the team’s speculation. The third-year dual-threat has had moments of brilliance as a passer and a rusher. His completion percentage and interception rate have improved this season, and he’s taken fewer sacks in 2023.
There’s no question that Fields has given the team some reason to have faith that he can be a franchise star, but with how contracts work, Williams has a leg up because he’ll have a fresh, cost-controlled, five-year contract. Fields has just one more year on his rookie deal before his fifth-year option.
Williams is one of the most dynamic prospects we’ve seen in recent years. Unlike Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, who had amazing physical gifts but were raw with their mechanics and situational play, Williams is efficient while explosive already.
That’s not to say Williams will be better than either, but he is projected to be an All-Pro-caliber talent.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner ranks as PFN’s No. 2 QB on our big board, but the margin is tight with North Carolina QB Drake Maye. It’s not hard to justify investing in the playmaking that Williams brings to an offense.
The USC Trojan hasn’t declared yet for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he is expected to, as USC entertains transfer portal additions. He completed 66.9% of his passes for 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions at USC and Oklahoma. He also added 966 yards and 27 touchdowns as a rusher.
What Chicago Would Do With Justin Fields
Caplan also reported that Chicago would look to trade Fields. There should be a slew of interested teams in Fields, as there are more QB-needy teams than top quarterback prospects in the class. Teams with a mid-first-round pick might get shut out from Williams, Maye, LSU Tigers QB Jayden Daniels, and Oregon Ducks QB Bo Nix.
“Fields has his fifth-year option decision due by 5/2, and they would obviously decline it and look to trade him if they decide they’re going to draft Williams,” Caplan wrote.
Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons should be highly intrigued by Fields. Chicago gave him one of the worst supporting casts and offensive play designers in the NFL over his three seasons, and he still had enough growth and moments of high-end flashes to believe he’ll thrive in a better situation. He’ll be a distressed asset, but the Bears could fetch a second-round pick by dealing Fields.
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