USC Trojan quarterbacks have been relatively frequent first-round selections in recent NFL drafts. However, as has been well-chronicled, many of them have not had stellar NFL careers.
All indications point to a different story with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears Are Due to Have a First-Round QB Selection Pan Out
In the 21st century, the Bears have selected three quarterbacks with first-round picks — Rex Grossman (2003 – 22nd overall), Mitchell Trubisky (2017 – second overall), and Justin Fields (2021 – 11th overall). None lived up to expectations.
As noted in The Athletic, “[t]he typical Bears fan probably wishes Grossman’s tenure had never begun.” Although Grossman did lead the Bears to Super Bowl XLI, he played poorly in the game, and his career in Chicago was plagued by injuries and erratic play.
Neither Trubisky nor Fields lived up to expectations.
Trubisky is widely regarded as a bust, in light of his inconsistent play and because of the glaring circumstance that the Bears selected him before Patrick Mahomes.
The Bears recently let Fields go for a sixth-round pick after just three seasons.
Needless to say, the Bears are long overdue for solid, consistent quarterback play.
The Bears Are Expected to Draft Caleb Williams With the No. 1 Selection in the 2024 NFL Draft
Williams, who won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, is the consensus No.1 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There is little doubt that Williams will be the first pick. As noted by Windy City Gridiron, there has been little secret about this circumstance for quite some time now:
“USC’s Caleb Williams has been the expected ’24 top pick for a couple of years now, and nothing seems to have slowed that momentum. He’s the consensus top quarterback available and the consensus number-one prospect in the draft.”
USC Trojan QBs Who Did Not Pan Out in the NFL After Being Selected in the First Round
As reported by SB Nation:
“In the Super Bowl era, USC quarterbacks have won six [collegiate] national titles and 22 [Pac-12] conference titles. Yet no USC quarterback has ever played in a Super Bowl.”
Some of these renowned Trojan quarterbacks are:
- Todd Marinovich — College Freshman of the Year for 1989 and No. 24 overall selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 1991 NFL Draft
- Carson Palmer — 2002 Heisman Trophy winner, selected No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
- Matt Leinert — 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, selected No. 10 overall by the Arizona Cardinals
- Mark Sanchez — No. 5 overall selection by the N.Y. Jets in the 2009 NFL Draft
- Sam Darnold — Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2016 and No. 3 overall selection by the N.Y. Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Marinovich was an undeniable talent. He was tall and athletic. However, he was troubled. Substance abuse problems derailed the gifted southpaw’s career.
Palmer had success in the NFL. He was an All-Pro, and in 2005, he led the league in touchdown passes. However, his career was injury-plagued.
Leinert, Sanchez, and Darnold were all stars at top-ranked, successful USC teams, but did not have successful NFL careers. Darnold is still in the league, hoping to achieve success with his new team, the Minnesota Vikings.
Caleb Williams Looks to End the Trojan QB Curse
Per Windy City Gridiron:
“Caleb Williams is different. He’s an entirely different prospect than what the Bears have had in their modern history.
“Forget Justin Fields. Forget Mitch Trubisky. Forget Rex Grossman. Forget Cade McNown.
“Williams was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 quarterback in his recruiting class (behind Quinn Ewers, who is pretty good, btw). Williams has been among the best quarterbacks … [in] high school and college.
Film does not lie. Williams’ talent and elusivity have been on display for all to see.
The Bears look to finally have solid, reliable quarterback play with Caleb Williams taking the helm.
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