One of the most persistent rumors that has hounded the 2024 draft news cycle is the idea USC quarterback Caleb Williams has quietly coveted the idea of avoiding the Chicago Bears. Fearing their long history of poor quarterback development, he hopes to go somewhere else, preferably the Washington Commanders, where he has local roots. The fact they hired Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator only intensified those rumors. Former quarterbacks like Robert Griffin III and J.T. O'Sullivan have also said he should do this.
Despite this, GM Ryan Poles has forged ahead in the evaluation process. Everything to this point says he plans to select Williams #1 overall on the 25th. Ian Rapoport decided to add further context on NFL Network. The quarterback paid a visit to Halas Hall this week, taking medical exams and going through various drills to gauge his intelligence and personality. That isn't what stands out, though. Rapoport revealed that this private visit is the only one Williams plans to take.
That is a surefire sign that he not only expects to be the Bears' pick but also wants to be.
Caleb Williams has good reasons to embrace the Bears.
For one, he'll be walking into a pretty sweet situation. It's far superior to what most #1 picks have waiting when they arrive in the NFL. The Bears have constructed a talented offensive core headlined by wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, tight end Cole Kmet, and running back D'Andre Swift. He will also have a capable offensive line in front of him led by Darnell Wright, Teven Jenkins, and Braxton Jones. Better still, the Bears could add to his supporting cast with the #9 pick later in the 1st. All of this comes on top of a solid defense guided by Matt Eberflus.
If Caleb Williams wanted to avoid Chicago, he'd be looking at Washington and New England as potential alternatives. Given how both teams played last year and the current state of their rosters, it is hard to believe he'd be better off going to either place. Poles has said he made it his mission to change the Bears' legacy at quarterback. That is why he invested lots of resources on that side of the ball. He understands supporting a young QB in those first two or three years is pivotal to long-term success.
Williams seems to recognize the opportunity in front of him and is eager to embrace it.
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