The Chicago Bears are entering a new era after parting ways with former starting quarterback Justin Fields. Chicago traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers after three seasons. Thus, many expect the Bears to go after USC Trojans standout Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Former Super Bowl MVP and sportscaster Phil Simms explains why Williams is the better QB choice.
“[Justin Fields] just was not a good processor. You know, he had some really rough games and everybody says the offense stinks…I watch the tape and there's people wide open everywhere,” Simms said via the Ross Tucker Podcast.
“Now, I thought he got a little better at the end, but Caleb Williams is clearly a better passer of the football in my eyes than Justin Fields,” Simms added.
Is the former Super Bowl champion correct? As Phil Simms explained, Fields often struggled to get rid of the ball and find open receivers during his Bears tenure. Nevertheless, he made strides toward the end of the 2023-24 season, leading Chicago to a 5-2 finish in their last seven games.
Fields amassed 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns by the end of the year. In the end, the Bears finished with an overall record of 7-10, failing to make the NFL Playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Now, Fields is preparing to start a new journey with the Steelers, while the Bears search for a new quarterback in the draft. Of course, all signs point to Chicago taking Caleb Williams with their selection. Many analysts believe Williams is a transcendent talent who could take a franchise to the next level.
Williams' college career makes for his fitting draft excitement.
Bears could get a game-changer in Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams started his college football career with the Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to USC for his sophomore year in 2022. His move to Southern California turned out to be life-changing.
After throwing for 1,912 passing yards and 21 touchdowns during his freshman year at OU, Williams leapt to a whopping 4,537 yards and 42 TDs during his first year at USC. As a result, he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy honor over other talented players including 2023-24 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and former Ohio State standout CJ Stroud.
Williams followed his stellar year up with another round of respectable production. However, he and his team did not reach the same previous heights.
He amassed 3,622 yards and 30 TDs in his junior year while playing through a sprained pinky finger. Williams led the Trojans to a 7-5 regular season record, which was slightly disappointing considering the team advanced to the 2022-23 Pac-12 Championship a year prior.
Nevertheless, Williams had an outstanding college career and has the potential to develop into a standout professional quarterback.
The Bears could be a great fit for Williams based on shared values.
“I've heard that [Chicago] loves football…so if that's the place [I'm drafted to], I'm excited for that…that's one of the biggest things I care about is a place that cares,” Williams told Colin Cowherd after his USC Pro Day.
Above all else, Williams wants to win football games, which is exactly what the Bears hope to do in 2024-25 and beyond.
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