With the first-round pick for 2024 in their possession, courtesy of a trade involving Bryce Young that landed them the Carolina Panthers' selection, the Bears are poised to have the premier pick. The Panthers' current record of 1-12 starkly contrasts with other teams, all of whom boast at least three victories. This positions Chicago for a likely first pick in the 2024 Draft. Charles Robinson from Yahoo Sports gathered insights from various NFL General Managers regarding Chicago's quarterback conundrum for the upcoming year. An AFC General Manager expressed to Robinson a definitive stance, advocating for USC's Caleb Williams:
"For me, the choice to draft Caleb is clear-cut. When we're at this stage, Year 3, and the team is hesitant to commit to the fifth-year option, it signals a lot. In my view, despite Fields' athletic prowess, he doesn't have what it takes to consistently deliver as a passer."
An NFC General Manager acknowledged concerns about Williams but suggested that drafting him could be financially prudent compared to the costs associated with Fields. Additionally, an AFC team reflected on the decision to skip C.J. Stroud:
"Opting not to select a promising quarterback to focus on developing the one you have requires absolute certainty, which the Bears showed last year. They didn't choose C.J. Stroud then, but they had the chance. With Caleb Williams, it's an obvious pick. If they land the top pick and he's available, they shouldn't hesitate. The real risk is passing up talent repeatedly. If Fields doesn't progress, no one wants to be remembered for missing out on both Stroud and Williams."
Another NFC General Manager opined:
"It's tough when you're held accountable for not succeeding with the draft picks of your predecessor, especially with a quarterback and head coach. These roles are crucial to the team's culture. If it's not clicking, you should have the liberty to make changes. After all, it's challenging to own the fallout for decisions you didn't make."
Fields is currently having his best season to date in his three-year tenure. It goes without saying, a strong end to the season could significantly enhance his prospects of securing a fourth year with Chicago.
POLL | ||
16 DECEMBRE | 107 ANSWERS BREAKING: Insider Details on Chicago Bears' Strategy for Utilizing Justin Fields and Top Pick in 2024 NFL Draft Revealed by League GMs Will Justin Fields be on the Bears' roster next season? | ||
Yes | 73 | 68.2 % |
No | 34 | 31.8 % |
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