Chicago Bears Insider Confirms Growing Rumor About #9 Pick

The Chicago Bears are taking Caleb Williams #1 overall next month. They may try to deny it, but anybody with common sense can see the signs. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have spoken glowingly about the USC quarterback at every opportunity. They didn't show nearly the same attention to detail in their attendance at the Michigan, LSU, or North Carolina pro days. It feels like the past several weeks have not been spent determining which quarterback to take but to see how many red flags exist with Williams and if they can live with them. It appears they have their answer.

No, the real intrigue with this team has shifted to what they will do with the #9 pick. Arguments have centered around three possibilities. They will take one of the top wide receivers, a pass rusher, or trade down to secure more picks. None of those are shocking. Another weapon for Williams is a good thing. The Bears need a second rusher opposite Montez Sweat. They also only have four picks left in this draft. Poles would likely prefer more if possible. However, it appears another option is has more traction inside Halas Hall than people realize.

Team insider Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog confirmed as much.

Poles himself alluded to it as well when stating what the next phase of the Bears' evaluation plans will encompass.

“One team is going to talk about, ‘The tackle position is the best to go after’ [or] ‘the wide receiver’s the best’ [or] ‘the defensive end’s the best.’ — and use factual information to kinda spit that out,” Poles said. “And we’ll have a debate in terms of what’s more impactful for our football team, short-term and long-term.”

This focus by the Chicago Bears shouldn't be a huge surprise.

Poles has said many times since taking over that he will always be focused on what he calls the "premium" positions when it comes to the draft. Those are pass rushers, cornerbacks, and offensive linemen. Specifically tackles. He already spent a top-10 pick on one last year with Darnell Wright. There is no denying Braxton Jones is a great story. Going from Southern Utah to 5th round pick and starting NFL tackle is an amazing achievement. The tough question for the Bears is whether they can trust him against the premier pass rushers in this league. Myles Garrett abused him last year in Cleveland. Green Bay and Detroit also gave him problems.

If the Chicago Bears feel one of these tackles in the 2024 class has a high ceiling, they feel duty-bound to take him. Weapons for a quarterback are important, but protection is even more so. That is especially true for a rookie. People talk about how brilliant C.J. Stroud was last year. Not enough of them mention how he had Laremy Tunsil guarding his blindside. Cam Newton had Jordan Gross. Ben Roethlisberger had Marvel Smith. It is a common trend. Joe Alt, JC Latham, and Olu Fashanu appear to be the top options in this class.

Poles is a former offensive lineman himself. If he sees Pro Bowl potential in any of them, don't be surprised if he goes that way.