The 2024 NFL Draft looms on the horizon, and it’s the Chicago Bears, once again in possession of the top overall pick, who hold the key to how the draft unfolds.
Their decision regarding USC quarterback Caleb Williams is set to shape the draft’s course – will they select the Trojans’ signal-caller and potentially trade Justin Fields, or opt to leverage the top pick for a haul of future selections?
At the Senior Bowl, where scouts and team executives convene, the consensus suggests that this decision isn’t as complex as it may seem.
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain revealed which direction the Bears are leaning at this point in time.
“A couple of league sources wondered aloud about the benefit of keeping Fields and trading back, but when asked about the No. 1 pick, most didn’t see a debate. At this juncture, they expect it to be Williams. Their opinion of what will happen isn’t about Fields’ qualities as much as it is about the opportunity. One league source said when you think like a GM, it’s hard to pass on Williams’ talent and the benefit of starting over with a new contract. One opposing scout said he would be shocked if it wasn’t Williams.”
Irrespective of the sentiments among Bears’ loyal fans about Justin Fields and Caleb Williams, the viewpoint articulated by NFL scouts and executives at the Senior Bowl holds merit.
As the Bears enter the fourth and final season of Fields’ rookie contract (with a potential fifth-year option in play), the impending need to secure Fields with a substantial contract looms large. Such an agreement could well exceed the $40 million mark, inevitably restricting the franchise’s financial flexibility in other areas of the roster.
If the Bears opt to choose Williams as their first pick in the NFL draft, it essentially resets the contract clock. The team would have until 2027 or 2028 to address contractual matters with their star veterans, potentially allowing them to assemble a competitive squad capable of contending for playoffs or even a Super Bowl appearance, provided Williams lives up to the hype.
In essence, this decision boils down to more than just a choice between Williams and Fields; it’s a matter of weighing opportunity costs. While it may not be as lively a topic for sports bar debates, it represents the pragmatic reality of the situation facing the Chicago Bears.
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