NFL Execs See Big Silver Lining If Caleb Williams Tries To Avoid Bears

Chicago Bears fans can't even get excited about the idea of landing the #1 overall pick next year. Thanks to their winless record and the Carolina Panthers almost being winless, this team holds two choices that could end up in the top 5. ESPN gives the Bears a 57% chance of picking #1 overall. Everybody knows whichever team holds that spot will select USC superstar quarterback Caleb Williams. He's been projected there for months and is currently a favorite to win the Heisman again. It seems like a no-brainer the Bears would take him.

There is one problem. Rumors persist that Williams may try to avoid any team he deems unfit for developing a quarterback. This could be done by staying in school for another year. Most experts don't believe he will do that. The other way would be pulling a rare maneuver previously orchestrated by John Elway and Eli Manning. Both refused to play for the teams that held the #1 pick at the respective times (Colts in 1983 and Chargers in 2004).

Chicago doesn't have the best reputation lately. They've had one winning season in a decade and haven't successfully developed a quarterback since maybe the 1980s. It isn't hard to imagine Williams may try to avoid them. However, Jeff Howe of The Athletic has heard from several execs around the league that this wouldn't have to be a bad thing.

There would be one big advantage to it.

"Another scenario, though, could involve Williams attempting to orchestrate a trade like Eli Manning did with the Chargers and Giants in 2004. It may not be ideal, but the Bears would assuredly net multiple first-round picks in that type of move.

And then they’d turn their attention to North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who has drawn comparisons to Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. Maye has prototypical size at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, and he’s got big-time arm talent and ideal leadership qualities like Williams. Maye might have been in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft if he had been eligible, so he’d be a tremendous consolation prize."

The Bears could clean up in a Caleb Williams trade.

Remember that the San Francisco 49ers gave up two future 1st round picks to get Trey Lance in 2021. Carolina gave up star receiver D.J. Moore and a future 1st round pick for Bryce Young. Both of those prospects are inferior to Williams. There is no question that there will be a landslide of teams interested in acquiring the supposed generational prospect. When a bidding war unfolds, the price goes up. Chicago could secure a mountain of future assets while still likely holding two top-10 picks when the dust settles.

They will likely pivot to another of the top quarterbacks like Drake Maye, Quinn Ewers, Shadeur Sanders, or J.J. McCarthy. Then, they'll use the other assets to continue filling out their roster with more young, athletic talent. Maybe the Caleb Williams drama is overblown. It feels unlikely he would pass on the chance to be the guaranteed #1 pick. It's not like the Bears are devoid of talent. Their offense has solid pieces in place. It may come down to who they hire to replace Matt Eberflus as head coach.

If it's somebody with a strong reputation for helping quarterbacks, Williams may sign off.