Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): DJ Moore, WR
Caleb Williams didn’t have the stellar rookie season that most expected. The first overall pick in the 2024 draft went 5-12 as a starter, posted an 87.8 quarterback rating and was far too often indecisive with the football.
Of course, Williams was stuck playing behind a poor offensive line and an ill-prepared head coach in Matt Eberflus. The quarterback’s ceiling is still incredibly high.
If the Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson believe they can put a superior supporting cast around Williams—and keeping star receiver DJ Moore is a great start—it makes sense to bet on him again instead of a slightly more proven quarterback, like Lawrence.
“If you added Trevor Lawrence, as he is right now, to the 2024 draft class with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix, you’ll understand the rationale for this pick,” O’Donnell said. “With Jayden gone and the Bears’ desire to finally find that franchise QB, Williams is a no-brainer at No. 5 overall. Not often do these exercises coincide with the current NFL landscape, but Williams and the Bears are the perfect fit.”
At this stage of a re-draft, teams are either securing proven production or betting on elite upside. Williams still possesses the latter, and the Bears are happy to keep him in Chicago.
