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The Chicago Bears, forever in search of a franchise quarterback, have the good fortune to land the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in a year with coveted passers at the top. But the team faces a huge decision in the next two months.
The Bears could stay put and use the pick — likely on USC’s Caleb Williams — or for a second year in a row, they could deal that top selection for a windfall of draft capital and stick with Justin Fields, still only 24 and entering his fourth year in Chicago.
NFL teams never have bigger decisions than when seeking a long-term answer at quarterback. Williams is a potential superstar, but you don’t have to look far to see how the choice at No. 1 can go wrong quickly. Last year, Carolina struggled to the league’s worst record with Bryce Young at quarterback after acquiring the top pick from Chicago, while Houston won a division title and a playoff game with C.J. Stroud, chosen second overall.
Williams, 22, threw for 8,170 yards and 72 touchdowns against only 10 interceptions in the past two seasons at USC, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022. Fields, who turns 25 in March, has seen modest success in his three years in Chicago, throwing 40 touchdowns against 30 interceptions while proving himself one of the NFL’s most dangerous running quarterbacks.
The Bears, after a 2-7 start last season, finished the year 5-3, bringing back coach Matt Eberflus with optimism about more improvement in 2024. Whichever quarterback they choose will work with a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, brought in from Seattle.
So what will the Bears do? Take a rookie with the top pick and the Bears would be able to deal Fields, potentially netting a second-rounder and perhaps a lower pick as well. Stick with Fields — still inexpensive at about $25 million for the next two years, including his fifth-year option for 2025 — and they would be able to trade down and score another impressive package of picks, as Chicago did with Carolina a year ago.
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/should-bears-choose-justin-fields-or-caleb-williams-as-qb-nfl-roundtable
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Publish date : 2024-02-22 13:41:12
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