Undoubtedly, the biggest question of the 2024 draft is where Justin Fields and the top-rated quarterbacks will be playing in September. The Caleb Williams watch heated up over the weekend with the whirlwind courtship of Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury was apparently ready to become the offensive coordinator for Las Vegas. 24 hours later, he had withdrawn his name from consideration for the position with the Raiders and quickly accepted the OC role in Washington.
Caleb Williams offered his congratulations via his Instagram account, and speculation started flying. Williams is from the D.C. area and worked with Kingsbury at USC. Naturally, rumors that Washington is prepared to offer a trade package to Chicago that would be impossible for Ryan Poles to refuse immediately hit social media.
The rumors will continue to fly until the end of April, and the QBs in this year's draft will see their stock rise and fall often between now and when the draft begins.
Penix and Nix Fall and the Rise of J.J. McCarthy and Spencer Rattler
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix did not have a good weekend. Penix didn't wow anyone during practice, then abruptly backed out from playing in the game. That alone didn't help his draft value. Critics quickly pointed out he was feeling the pressure of the Senior Bowl spotlight.
Bo Nix also had his share of detractors in Mobile, Alabama. Nix has plenty of talent that is easy to see, but he was having problems with footwork, especially when taking the ball directly from the center.
Jim Harbaugh created a stir around his Michigan QB, J.J. McCarthy. Harbaugh spoke highly of McCarthy, predicting that after all the testing and interviews in Indianapolis later this month, at the NFL Combine, J.J. McCarthy would surprise many and be the first QB taken in this year's draft. Of course, Bears fans immediately took to social media concocting all types of trade scenarios for the Chargers, including offering Justin Herbert and the 5th overall pick to Chicago to move up to select McCarthy with the first pick in the draft.
Speaking of Herbert, before the draft in 2020, he was the MVP in the Senior Bowl. Many believe that boosted his value, and the Chargers selected him with the 6th overall selection in the 2020 draft. The MVP honors in this year's game was South Carolina's QB Spencer Rattler.
The debate will continue, most likely right up to day one of the draft, but the next stop is Indianapolis, when the NFL Combine gets underway on February 29th.
News and Notes
February 4th marked the 17th anniversary of the Bears' last appearance in the Super Bowl. Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. To this day, it is the only time an opening kickoff was returned for a score.
The NFL Hall of Fame will announce the names of the 2024 class of inductees this week. The announcement will be unveiled Thursday, February 8th.
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