2024 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears still hold top two picks

The Chicago Bears’ victory over the Washington Commanders last Thursday may have provided a moment of relief in regard to the overall outlook of the team but there is still a decision looming for the team this Spring.

With their victory last Thursday, the Bears moved to 1-4 on the season but remain the second-worst team in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers, currently 0-5 on the season, lay claim to having the worst record in the NFL this season.

This means that after five weeks of the 2023 NFL regular season, the Bears are currently projected to have the top two selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears hold the rights to the Panthers’ 2024 first-round selection and that would be the top spot in the draft if the season ended today with the Bears’ first-round selection falling right after.

Meaning, the hypothetical conversation that was had last off-season regarding “If Caleb Williams was in the 2023 NFL Draft, there is no doubt that the Bears would take him” is poised to be a legitimate debate that the team will need to have this 0ff-season.

The Chicago Bears are still in a position where they will need to debate between Justin Fields and Caleb Williams this Spring.

Williams is expected to forgo his senior season at USC in 2024 and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. For many talent evaluators, Williams is believed to be the best quarterback prospect since Patrick Mahomes in 2017.

When the debate begins in earnest, after the season, the Bears will be afforded the opportunity to evaluate the full season of Fields’ third season in the NFL. After consecutive breakout performances against the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders, Fields has some lofty full-season projections for the 2023 campaign.

If those projections become reality, the Bears will have their answer at the quarterback position and be in a great position ahead of the draft. Until then, the likely scenario may still be the Bears taking Williams if they indeed have the top spot in the draft.