A Chicago Bears helmet. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst suggests 'right choice' for Bears with pick No. 1

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 2/5/24

The Bears face maybe the most difficult decision of the offseason. That's deciding whether to stick with QB Justin Fields or drafting a rookie quarterback with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

However, former quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes he knows what the right choice for Chicago to make is.

"If I'm Chicago, the more I've gotten away from the season, the more quarterback becomes the right choice at number one and you trade Justin for as high as you can get," Orlovsky said on "The Pat McAfee Show."

"Justin Fields showed a lot this year but I think Quarterback is the right choice at number one for the Bears..

It does feel like it will be Caleb Williams but I think Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are in the conversation" ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/J0xJfVSCbI
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 5, 2024

Fields has slowly gotten better every season, passing for 4,656 yards and 33 touchdowns as well as rushing for 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns from 2022-23. But his 10-28 record as a starter doesn't scream confidence, which is why many, like Orlovsky, believe the Bears should start fresh at quarterback.

USC's Caleb Williams is the favorite to hear his name called first after throwing for 8,170 yards, 72 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions from 2022-23. And although Orlovsky thinks it will be the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, he knows two other quarterbacks have strong cases to be the No. 1 pick as well.

"I think I lean Caleb right now," Orlovsky added. "But I would say this, I think all three of those top three kids that are getting their names mentioned, Caleb, Drake [Maye] and Jayden Daniels, are going to be in the conversation for one."

Maye has just two years of starting experience, but has been impressive, passing for 7,929 yards, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions from 2022-23.

While Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, is a true dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Only time will tell what Chicago decides to do, but its decision to stick with Fields or move on with a new quarterback could have long-term implications for the franchise.

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