The 2024 NFL Draft is less than one week away. Soon enough, teams will be selecting their franchise players for years to come. Many NFL draft analysts and experts believe the draft won’t start until after the fifth pick, and that holds true as the first four picks are cut, clear, and dry on who it will be, especially the number one overall pick.
The Chicago Bears hold the top pick this year, and everyone and their mother knows whom they will select with that pick: USC Trojans superstar quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy Winner Caleb Williams. Heck, you could have argued that he could have been the number one pick in last year’s NFL draft, too. The 22-year-old is arguably the most highly-touted prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012. That’s how special people believe he can be.
The USC star quarterback is set to become the fifth Trojan to be selected number one overall. Not only will that be a high accomplishment, but he doesn’t just want it to be another number. Williams appeared on the Pivot Podcast and said he hopes to stay in one place for 20 years and build a legacy similar to that of future Hall of Famer and football GOAT Tom Brady.
“I want to play at one place for 20 years, and chase one guy, No. 12. I want a place that loves ball. That’s all I’ve heard about Chicago so far,” Williams said.
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Williams will be tasked with leading the Bears to new heights. Reaching Tom Brady levels is a different story, but we’re not the ones who will count out Williams on that front just yet.
The Bears aren’t used to having one quarterback for more than four seasons, let alone a franchise quarterback. This offseason, the Bears traded away their prior franchise quarterback, Justin Fields, after only three seasons under center. Fields was severely underwhelming, only completing 60% of his passes, passing for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions, and led the Bears to an abysmal 10-28 record overall.
It was clear Fields’ time in Chicago was up, and it was a matter of when, not if, he would get traded. The Bears pulled the trigger on March 16 when they traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That made it clear that Chicago would be selecting Williams at number one.
A lot of pressure and a ton of eyes will be on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, but he seems ready for the challenge. He’s proven that much on the field in his lone season in Oklahoma and his two years in Southern California. His college stats speak for themselves, but his poise with the football, leadership skills, and ability to lift his teammates’ play is unmatched. The Bears will soon be making the easiest pick in the draft.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.