Rumors are always prominent this time of year. The Chicago Bears were always going to be part of them because they held the #1 pick in the 2024 draft.
So, they control the narrative of how things will go. One of the most notable rumors over the past week was the idea Caleb Williams, the former USC star quarterback and presumptive top pick, preferred to avoid going to Chicago in favor of returning home to Washington. Nobody took the idea too seriously since it didn’t come from Williams himself, but circumstances have somewhat changed.
The Washington Commanders, who hold the #2 pick, are set to hire former USC quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator. While it doesn’t set anything in stone, the timing is certainly interesting. Maybe they liked Kingsbury as a candidate overall, or perhaps they’re hiring the guy who knows Williams better than any other available option. This has led some to speculate that Washington and Chicago may already be discussing a potential trade that would see the teams swap spots.
Insider Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus added some interesting details on that subject.
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What I’ve heard:
– By no means has Caleb definitively said he doesn’t want to go to Chicago
– Waldron is a good hire, and he works with the QB Collective where Caleb is now training
– Caleb & Co. do trust Kliff
– Chicago would probably be able to get ~ 2, 40, 2025 1st for 1
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) February 3, 2024
Why would the Chicago Bears entertain this idea?
The answer is simple. If GM Ryan Poles doesn’t see much of a gap between Williams and either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels as quarterback prospects, then it would make sense to take advantage of Washington’s obvious interest. If the Bears can secure a future 1st round pick by moving down one spot and still getting a quarterback they like, it is an easy decision. While many in the media seem to think Williams is the obvious choice, there are more than a few who believe Maye is the better overall prospect.
This could all be nothing but smoke and mirrors. Maybe Washington thinks Kingsbury can work just fine with Maye. Still, it’s hard not to connect the dots. Poles already proved once he’s not afraid to move down from the #1 spot if he gets an offer he likes. Everything hinges on what the Chicago Bears GM thinks of Williams. If he sees a franchise QB, there is no way he’s moving. However, if he thinks there is no difference between him and Maye, a trade becomes far more likely. Keep an eye on the scouting combine. That is typically where the real action begins.
