CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 10: General Manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus walk off the field after a win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

It appears as though the Chicago Bears have (unsurprisingly) made a final decision on what they’ll do with the first overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

Following the Justin Fields trade to Pittsburgh yesterday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams “is firmly in” Chicago’s sights with the top selection.

Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears received a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Steelers in exchange for Fields. However, the pick will be upgraded to a fourth-rounder if Fields plays 51 percent of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in 2024.

Chicago obtained the first overall pick in this year’s draft from the Carolina Panthers, who surrendered their 2024 first-rounder as part of the package to move up and take Bryce Young first overall a year ago.

Obviously, the Panthers did not think they would finish as football’s worst team with a 2-15 record when they made that move. Their ill-fated trade is a giant win for the Chicago Bears, who will now get a can’t-miss QB prospect in Williams on a cheap rookie deal.

In his final season of college football, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Williams threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns against only five interceptions to go along with 136 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores.

Williams’ best NCAA season came in 2022, when he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against only five interceptions to go along with 382 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Chicago Bears No More A Fresh Start For Justin Fields

Fields was never put in the best possible position to succeed with the Chicago Bears. He had two head coaches and two offensive coordinators during his three years with Chicago, not to mention a terrible offensive line and a bottom-10 defense to complement him.

The Steelers have already told Fields that he’ll be the backup to Russell Wilson to start 2024. But after that, the Ohio State product should get every opportunity to prove to Pittsburgh that he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber QB in this league.

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