After weeks of speculation, the Chicago Bears finally have their franchise quarterback. With the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Chicago selected USC star Caleb Williams. It was a move that was expected and became likely after the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the offseason.
For essentially the entirety of their franchise, the Bears have been looking for a difference-maker at the quarterback position. They are hoping that Williams can become that player after striking out on so many other players in years past.
Will Williams be the star the Bears have coveted? In the opinion of one NFL scout who spoke to NFL Analysis Network, that is exactly what Chicago will get. The scout believes Williams will live up to expectations and become a superstar.
“The Bears are getting a superstar. And he’s not going to be a ‘future superstar,’ he’s a now superstar. I think he leads them to the playoffs as a rookie.”
There is a lot to like when watching Williams’ film from his time at Oklahoma and USC, all under head coach Lincoln Riley. He took home the Heisman Trophy for the 2022 season and PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year award the same year. Williams also was named an AP All-American once in his three collegiate seasons.
In three seasons, Williams produced like a star. He completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 10,082 yards and 93 touchdowns with only 14 interceptions. Williams is entering a great situation that should enable him to produce at a high level right from the start.
The Bears have done a wonderful job of upgrading the weapons Willaims will have to work with. D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen are one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL with Cole Kmet as an up-and-coming player at tight end.
More must-reads: