Caleb Williams Just Fanned the Bears-Washington Trade Flames

Fans have learned over the years to never ignore the signs when they pop up. While sometimes they prove to be nothing, more than a few instances have seen the rumors prove true. Something big might be happening down in Washington. The Commanders kicked it off when they scooped USC quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury away from Las Vegas to become their new offensive coordinator. Kingsbury worked with Caleb Williams last year. Williams also comes from the D.C. area. It doesn't take much to put two and two together.

It's hard not to think Washington has designs on trying to bring the star Trojans quarterback home. Yet, to do that, they will need help from Chicago. The Bears hold the #1 pick. That means they have the ability to take Williams ahead of anybody else. The only way that changes is if somebody comes forward with an offer to get him. Washington, who sits at #2, is best positioned to work out a deal. This, of course, presumes Bears GM Ryan Poles isn't 100% sold that Williams is the best quarterback in this class.

If things weren't already crazy, the quarterback stoked the fires a little more by publicly congratulating Kingsbury on getting the job. All this while Adam Schefter and other notable insiders also stirred the pot.

Poles is the decisive factor in this Caleb Williams situation.

His opinion is the one that matters most. If Williams is his guy, no offer on the planet will convince him to give up the #1 pick. However, if he likes Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels just as much or more, then he has every reason to listen to Washington's offer to swap places. Recent projections indicate the Bears could secure a 2nd round pick and a future 1st round pick in such a deal. All that to move down one spot and still get the quarterback they prefer (in this scenario) would be as good as it gets.

Nobody disputes Caleb Williams is an outstanding prospect. His mobility, arm strength, accuracy, and improvisation are all excellent. That said, he's not perfect. He tends to hold the ball a lot, is undersized at 6'1, and doesn't seem to always process the field quickly enough. These are the same problems that plagued Justin Fields for the past two years, though Williams' issues aren't as pronounced. Much of this hinges on what happens when Poles and the Bears meet with the top quarterbacks for interviews. How they come across will steer the direction of this ship.