With the Chicago Bears recently trading star quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the stage is set for the struggling franchise to select USC superstar quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Now that it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Bears will bring in Williams with the top pick in next month’s draft, some are starting to speculate about what a successful rookie season would look like for the former Trojans superstar.
Obviously, it’s hard to predict how Williams will play with Chicago with so many changes that have happened for the franchise since making the decision to move on from Fields.
If Williams turns out to be the real deal and lives up to expectations, he could have a season that rivals what C.J. Stroud was able to do in his first season with the Houston Texans.
Nick Wright of FOX Sports believes a successful season for Williams in Chicago includes the team making the NFL playoffs, setting the team’s all-time record for passing yards in a season, and the distinction as one of the best young quarterbacks in the league via First Things First.
What a successful rookie season for Caleb looks like, according to @getnickwright:
🔘 Bears make playoffs
🔘 Sets Bears all-time record for passings yards in a season (3,838)
🔘 Looked at as one of the best young QBs in NFC pic.twitter.com/fuIK0nnNLh— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 22, 2024
Although those seem like incredibly high expectations for a rookie playing for a team that has never really had a superstar quarterback, the University of Southern California product will have to be as advertised, or he could be headed toward draft-bust territory.
Only time will tell if Williams can live up to these expectations and lead the Bears in the postseason.
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