In 92 days, the 2024 NFL Draft will begin. We may not know what Ryan Poles will do until then. Last year, Poles pulled off a major deal with Carolina, trading the top pick in last year's draft. In return, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, and DJ Moore were added to the roster. They also received the Panthers' 1st round draft choice this year and their 2nd round pick in 2025. Carolina's 1st pick this year is the top pick in this draft, giving Ryan Poles a great opportunity to use that pick on drafting a new QB if he wants to move in that direction, or he can trade back to accumulate additional draft capital to continue the roster rebuild that was started last season.
The debate is centered around Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. Regardless of who is asked, everyone has an opinion. Plenty of company exists if you're on the "Keep Fields" side of the equation. The majority of current players in the league side with the Bears' third-year quarterback.
Caleb, Drake, or Jayden
In looking at the top three QBs available this year, one can make a good argument for each candidate. But when taking a completely unscientific view devoid of any analytics, the choice would surprise you: If Ryan Poles decides to select a quarterback with the pick the Bears received from Carolina, he must select DRAKE MAYE!!
History Is Against Williams And Daniels
In the Super Bowl era, 31 quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy. Here is the list:
STEVE SPURRIER 1966
GARY BEBAN 1967
JIM PLUNKETT 1970
PAT SULLIVAN 1971
DOUG FLUTIE 1984
VINNY TESTAVERDE 1986
ANDRE WARE 1989
TY DETMER 1990
GINO TORRETTA 1992
CHARLIE WARD 1993
DANNY WUERFFEL 1996
CHRIS WEINIKE 2000
ERIC CROUCH 2001
CARSON PALMER 2002
JASON WHITE 2003
MATT LEINART 2004
TROY SMITH 2006
TIM TEBOW 2007
SAM BRADFORD 2008
CAM NEWTON 2010
ROBERT GRIFFIN III 2011
JOHNNY MANZIEL 2012
JAMEIS WINSTON 2013
MARCUS MARIOTA 2014
LAMAR JACKSON 2016
BAKER MAYFIELD 2017
KYLER MURRAY 2018
JOE BURROW 2019
BRYCE YOUNG 2021
CALEB WILLIAMS 2022
JAYDEN DANIELS 2023
Of these 31 Heisman winners, only one has also won a Super Bowl. Can you find him on the list? Joe Burrow got close. Lamar Jackson can accomplish the feat. It isn't Kyler Murray, Bryce Young, or Baker.
To be fair, there have been two Heisman-winning QBs to hoist a Lombardi Trophy, but Roger Staubach isn't included in the above list. He won the Heisman in 1963 before the Super Bowl era began.
Lamar Jackson has an opportunity to end the drought that has lasted decades. The only QB to win the Heisman and the Super Bowl:
Jim Plunkett
It has been so long since this achievement happened the Chicago Bears have won a Super Bowl more recently.
So clearly, the Bears can't take the Heisman Winner this year, Jayden Daniels, and most certainly Caleb Williams, who won the award in 2022.
Before your comments start, I hope you liked this fun exercise. It was meant to put a smile on your face. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, among others, all have an opportunity to break this streak. But for a moment, sit back and have a laugh with me.
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