If you were curious about what went on when Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears linked up at the Combine last week, then just know that The MMQB’s Albert Breer has you covered.
The Monday after the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis closes its doors is always a doozy. More so when the Bears have the first pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and are well-positioned to be the protagonist in the league’s offseason story. And with that first pick looking like it will be USC quarterback Caleb Williams, in my book:
Coming into the combine, Chicago hoped to finalize its evaluation of Caleb Williams before free agency. The signs point toward a decision in the near future, writes in this week's takeaways — The MMQB (@theMMQB)
There are so maܫny nuggets and tidbits in this post that sharing all of them is impossible. Hence, I strongly encourage you to carve some time out of your work day and read the post in its entirety. Getting a full grasp on this situation is easier after you read through this.
It sounds like it will soon be Caleb Williams time in Chicago
My second-biggest takeaway from Breer’s story is how thorough the Bears appear to be in this process when vetting Williams. Some thoughts on that:
For instance, the team’s meeting with Williams at Lucas Oil Stadium during Combine Week featured General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron, Pass Game Coordinator Thomas Brown, and team President/CEO Kevin Warren. Save for Chairman George McCaskey, those are the most important people in the franchise. Getting all parties together, even if it was just for a 15-20 minute getting-to-know-you interview that knocks out the formalities isn’t an inconsequential event.
On a semi-related note, Breer writes “the chemistry between coaches and front office folks and Williams is apparent.” That seems important
Breer also shed light on the team’s interview with Kliff Kingsbury for the then-vacant offensive coordinator gig. The meet-up gave Chicago some quality insight into what they were getting into if they were to choose Caleb Williams with the first pick:
Kingsbury described a player beloved by his coaches and teammates, a♒nd also gave the Bears very real insi𒈔ght into Williams’s father, and how involved he was. The quarterback’s dad, Kingsbury told them, was sharp, and someone that Williams leaned on a lot business-wise. But the father left the football part to his kid; Kingsbury explained to Chicago he saw the dad maybe once last year at USC’s practice facility.
There has been plenty of chatter about Williams’ father as a potential distraction. The passage above from Breer might ease the minds of some of those who were concerned.
An interesting scoop: Breer shares that the Bears were planning to host Williams for a top-30 visit on Tuesday, which is ridiculously early by league standards, with the idea of tying up some loose ends from Combine Week. Instead, the Bears will host Williams after his March 20 Pro Day. I feel as if we should keep that date in mind when we go through our NFL offseason timeline.
I found it interesting to see Breer cite Poles’ time with the Kansas City Chiefs because of how it influenced the way he (and others) look at identifying quarterbacks. Poles was KC’s Director of College Scouting from 2016-18, which put him right in the thick of the process that led the Chiefs to drafting Patrick Mahomes. Yes, I know, Matt Nagy was part of it, too. And we know that it didn’t make Mitch Trubisky or Justin Fields a better quarterback because of it. HOWEVER, I feel as if there is more value in Poles’ experience in being in on the scouting process from the ground level.
CALEB WILLIAMS SPEAKS: Thoughts on Being Drafted by the Bears, Meeting With Poles and Eberflus, More
At this point, you’re probably thinking: “If the Bears’ thoroughness was your second-biggest takeaway, then what is your first?”
And at this point, it is simple: My biggest takeaway its that the Chicago Bears are going to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. We are on the cusp of ushering in a new era of Chicago football. One that I hope is more prosperous than the last few QB eras we’ve experienced.
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacღher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and ♚11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
What's old is new again for Velus Jones Jr., who is apparently practicing with the wide receivers again. Jones, the first offensive player drafted by Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles in 2💝022, spent a chunk of time during training...
Week 3 kicks off tonight on Thursday Night Football with a battle between the Patriots and the Jets at MetLife Stadium. How to Watch Thursday Night Football: Jets vs. Patriots TV: NON🤡E Streaming: Prime Video Radio: Westwood One Kickoff Time:...
♏Chicago's seco🔥ndary passed a big test last week. That group could have a big day against Anthony Richardson and the Colts if the Bears' front seven can generate some pressure on the second-year quarterback on Sunday. Bears Secondary CB: Jaylon...
There are some changes to report o⛦n regarding the Chicago Bears injury report leading into the team's Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Let's discuss... As we discussed yesterday, left guard Teven Jenkins 🥃missed practice with a thigh injury. One day...
All right, let's try this again. After two unfavorable matc🧸hups and failed tests for the Chicago Bears offensive line, we're still looking for their first rock-solid performance of the 2024 season. The Titans' phenomenal interior duo of Jeffrey Simmons and...
The Chicago Bears head to Indianapolis this week꧙ looking to right the ship offensively. How does their receiver room stack up against the Indianapolis Colts' secondary? Bears Receivers (and Tight Ends) WR: DJ Moore WR: Kee𝄹nan Allen (Q) WR: Rome...
The Chicago Bears head to Indianapolis this week to take on the ꦜColts in a get-right game against a team th🦂at has been shredded on the ground in the season's first two games. Can they take advantage and get the...
Following the seemingly never-ending practice squad roste🐼r churn is one of my guilty pleasures after the regular season kicks off for the Chicago Bears. Keeping tabs on the transactions💫 on that front keeps me on my toes and informed on...
We are three years into Offensive L♒ine Coach Chris Morgan's tenure with the Chicago Bears and the team still has a basic issue that is driving me up a wall. This offensive line struggles to block againꦓst line stunts. And...
In addition to high-caliber athleticis🌄m and Pro Bowl instincts, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson was given the gift of gab. Unfortunately, that gift comes with a curse. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud came up to Johnson *DURING THE GAME* and...
You will see 12 games featuring a Big Ten team on♌ the Week 4 college football slate.[lasso rel="routy" id="898311"]Week 4 Big Ten GamesIllinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska CornhuskersTime: 8:00 PM ETDate: Friday, Sept. 20Spread: Nebraska (-8)Total: 43Moneyline: Cඣornhuskers -325, Fighting...
ACC teams will take the field acros🗹s 12 games on the Week 4 college football schedule. That includes the James Madison Dukes versus the North Carolina😼 Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium.[lasso rel="routy" id="898311"]Week 4 ACC GamesStanford Cardinal at Syracuse...
In the Thailand Open quarterfinals on Friday, Mai Hontama takes on Arianne Hartono.Hontama has -130 odds to claim a win agai💜nst Hartono (+100).Thailand Open InfoTournament: The Thailand OpenRound: QuarterfinaꦬlsDate: Friday, September 20Venue: True Arena Hua HinLocation: Hua Hin, ThailandCourt Surface:...
Jana Fett will take on Rebecca Sram🅘kova in the Thailand Open quarterfinals on Friday, September 20.In this matchup, Sramkova is favored (-200) against Fett (+155) .Thailand Open InfoTournament: The Thailand OpenRound: QuarterfinalsDate: Friday, September 20Venue: True Arena Hua HinLocation: Hua...
On Friday at 6:50 p.m. ET, Yandy Diaz♒ and the Tampa Bay Rays (74-78) take on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays (73-80) at Tropicana Field.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading fo𒁏r TV and streaming...
The Kansas City Royals (82-71), who will give the start to ಌMichael Wacha,♓ host the San Francisco Giants (74-79) with Mason Black on the hill, Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...
Sam LaPorta has posted 5.8 fantasy pointsജ through 2 games this season. Keep scrolling to learn what we can expect from the Detroit Lions TE the rest of the way🌜.In the air, LaPorta has been targeted eight times, with season...
Will Levis has not provided much production for fantasy managers this season, tallying 102.1 fantasy points (29th among QBs) through 2 games. Below, we break down his rest-of-the-season outlook.Levis' season stats include 319 passing yards (159.5 pe💟r game). He is...
Through 2 games this season, Bryce Young hasn't gene♏rated much fantasy production, as he has put up just 11.6 fantasy points. Wanting to know his outlook for remainder of the 2024 season? You've come to the right spot.Young's season stats...
Tyjae Spears has tallied 6.3 fantasy points through 🅰2 games this season. Keep reading to learꦕn what we can expect from the Tennessee Titans RB the rest of the way.In the running game, Spears has season stats of 10 rushes...
