The Chicago Bears are at a crossroads in their look for a quarterback as the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit draws closer. Many are competing for Caleb Williams‘ services, and the Bears’ interest is evident through personal conversations and school visits.
Though any concrete plans largely remain unknown, the signs are there to see. Head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles have been working on becoming familiar with Williams to see if he is the appropriate fit. Their actions, more so, indicate that the Bears may be willing to go the extra highly popular signal-caller.
Signs pointing toward Caleb Williams becoming a Bear
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Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles met with Caleb Williams and his family in private at his USC pro day, which was the high point of their chase of him. Williams stated, “They really took the time to get to know me as a person, and we had great conversations about football and life.”
Ryan Poles 🤝🏾 Caleb Williams parents pic.twitter.com/7WsDgg01Xm
— Sadeek 🪐 (@SadeekNextWave) March 20, 2024
Notably, The Bears were the only team to have dinner with Williams before his pro day, and spent almost half a day with him, watching films, discussing ideas, and testing his mental skills. This was not a regular pre-draft evaluation, but it showed how serious they were about finding a franchise quarterback. As the draft draws near, there are signs that the Bears are ready to do whatever it takes to get Williams. They might even trade up if they have to.
But the 2024 NFL Draft will have a lot of teams that want to pick up top quarterback prospects like Williams. One wonders what other things might affect the Bears’ decision-making process.
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Beyond the prospect: Exploring the Bears’ potential draft day strategies
How the Bears act on draft day will depend on how they judge Justin Fields, who is entering the last year of his rookie deal. Do they plan to keep him or see Caleb Williams as a better option? Several fantasy drafts have the Bears picking Williams in the first round, which could mean a change at quarterback.
The trade worth of their draft pick is another thing to think about. Some teams in the running need a quarterback, so the Bears could use their situation to get more assets. This could mean moving down to get more picks or even sending Fields to a team that needs a quarterback. Giving up Fields would be risky, but it could help the team get Williams in the draft and improve their team.
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No matter what they decide, Williams has caught the Bears’ eye. Their unwavering pursuit shows their belief in his ability to change the company. This sets the stage for an exciting draft day and a key quarterback search.