The burning question among Chicago Bears fans right now is a simple one. It is the same question that has haunted them for the past several decades. Is their team about to take the right quarterback in the draft? They wrestled with the same question in 2021, 2017, and 1999. Each time, the answer was no. A string of constant misfires like that leads to lots of mistrust that this organization can ever get it right. This is why many are skeptical about the looming selection of Caleb Williams.
Nobody can dispute the Washington D.C. native was a star in college. He won a Heisman trophy in 2022 and put up over 70 touchdown passes with less than 10 interceptions across his final two seasons. He’s athletic, boasts a strong arm, throws with good accuracy, and has some of the best improvisational skills seen in the past few years. Draft experts love him, but they’re not the ones making picks. What does the NFL think of him? Ben Standig of The Athletic got to the bottom of that question.
The answers he got back were telling.
“Seventeen sources shared their takes on the top passing prospects in this year’s draft. This combined ranking used a 5-3-2-1 scoring system, with first-place votes in parentheses. Our group:
Two active general managers
Three personnel executives
Three scouts
One assistant/QBs coach
Three former general managers
One ex-head coach
Four former players-turned-analysts, including two ex-quarterbacks……Several sources mentioned Williams’ high floor as the highlight rather than the potential upside. Three panelists preferred Daniels, with one — fearing possible disruption from Williams’ famously involved camp — slotting the USC quarterback third. Otherwise, the panel has high hopes for one of the best QB prospects in years.
Scout 1: I understand the leadership concerns, but Williams has the most talent. He’s easily No. 1.
Former NFL QB and current NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms: (Williams) can throw every ball in the book. … He’s the best scrambler in the draft and the best off-platform. He’s got the best feel in the pocket. And then when there is nothing there, there is nobody better.”
Caleb Williams has the approval of the NFL.
Think about that. Out of 17 panelists, only three had somebody other than him as the #1 quarterback. That is less than 18%. Things are never unanimous when it comes to player evaluation in the NFL, yet for it to be that lopsided should tell you something. Williams may draw a lot of hype, but guys who get paid to do this think it’s warranted. Ignore the media blitz. Focus on the player. Everything points to somebody who should have a long and successful NFL career. Much of it depends on if the Bears botch it.
That is the other part of the equation that has fans terrified. This organization has a checkered history at best of building capable offensive supporting casts. There have been many busts at wide receiver and along the offensive line. Thankfully, it appears GM Ryan Poles has done a capable job building a viable structure for Caleb Williams. D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet are an excellent trio of weapons. Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, and Teven Jenkins are above-average blockers. Shane Waldron is a proven and experienced play caller.
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This setup is one Williams can work with.
After two days of draft, this division is going to create headaches for each of the teams. None are guaranteed wins this season. The Vikings have had the most questionable draft, while the Bears draft has be strong, but the Bears have the most questions with their coaches (still). It isn’t just game day decisions, but the preparation of the entire team to out-execute their opponents. Ryan Poles is showing his caution in getting players well-coached elsewhere instead of “projects” without his having some certainty that his coaches can develop them. His 3rd pick is still a gamble on Chris… Read more »
@barry_mccockiner I understand your skepticism (not of Williams, but anyone playing for the Bears). I also saw value in Fields, but I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with dozens of companies in varying capacities to their founders, owners, management and have seen what a difference high quality management and culture make to the success and survivability of companies. Bears fans have been misled and misinformed by writers (the fans’ access to either the thinking or biases of the team, and/or the opinions of people who emphasize “finding,””drafting,” or acquiring” talent, and believe that “talent is everything.” So far, I… Read more »
I am sure that Erik Lambert thinks Caleb Williams is the greatest coming since sliced bread, but if anyone pays attention, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana and Steve Young (all recognized as “great”) have one thing in common – great coaches. Great head coaches, great coordinators, great position coaches. And Caleb Williams, or anyone else (including Justin Fields) will have the success defined by the floor, or ceiling of their coaches. If the Bears break the tradition of good to pathetic coaches, and produce above average to great coaches, they will have a long-term dynastic impact on… Read more »
With the right leadership, he could be amazingly good. And it sure would have been cool to have a #13 on his jersey. Lucky 13. Now it’s 18. Even Peyton Manning looked boring with a #18. Once again, great marketing Bears.
The North is going to be a tuff division this year, especially if Minnesota gets QB right.