The Chicago Bears hold the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and appear poised to draft a quarterback with the selection. After trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month, the path has cleared for presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams to join Chicago. Williams is coming off an illustrious collegiate career that included a Heisman Trophy in 2022. The appeal, however, goes well beyond his college production. In essence, it’s not necessarily what Williams does, as much as how he does it, that makes him such an enticing prospect.
Changing of the guard
The rise of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen has led to a paradigm shift in most people’s understanding of the quarterback position. Quarterbacks no longer act as just distributors and facilitators; they have evolved to become playmakers and creators. Few players exemplify this change better than Williams.
He’s a true improviser, capable of creating plays from scratch. Williams’ instincts provide the offense with a built-in safety net. If the original play design is ineffective, Williams can escape the pocket and throw receivers open.
Williams’ penchant for playing outside of structure allows to him make plays that other quarterbacks simply can’t. But as easy as it is to get sucked into the aesthetics and flair, Williams’ playmaking only scratches the surface of his game. He has a strong grasp of the basics, displaying high-end accuracy, decision-making and throwing mechanics.
A work in progress
Like all prospects, Williams has room for improvement. For starters, he can be overly reliant on his playmaking. There are times when Williams seems so fixated on the big play, he passes up on open receivers in hopes of finding something bigger. There’s nothing wrong with being a big-game hunter, but Williams will need to learn to pick his spots. Additionally, Williams will need to get acclimated to playing in a more sophisticated offense. USC’s offense mostly featured one and two-read concepts, seldom forcing Williams to make full-field scans. Running a more complex scheme will require Williams to become faster at working through his progressions.
Still, it’s hard to identify a fatal flaw in Williams’ game. Most of his issues relate to consistency rather than ability. In his last year at USC, the Trojans had one of the lowest-rated defenses in college football, putting immense pressure on Williams and the offense. This acts as at least a partial explanation for Williams’ aggressive nature. Perhaps in a more stable situation, he won’t need to press as much, and these concerns can take care of themselves.
A fresh start
All in all, Williams enters the draft as one of the strongest quarterback prospects in recent memory, and he appears uniquely equipped to take on the NFL. He’s a dynamic passer with a strong foundation. His game has drawn comparisons to Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, further underscoring his talent and reputation.
For decades, the Chicago Bears have been defined by their inability to secure a franchise quarterback. Caleb Williams’ arrival serves as an inflection point for one of the NFL’s oldest organizations. Either he will break a decades-long cycle or perpetuate it. Regardless, the 2024 Draft will have a pronounced effect on the Bears’ future, for better or worse.
