The Chicago Bears are ushering in a new era following the departure of former starting quarterback Justin Fields, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers after three seasons with the team. Consequently, there’s a widespread anticipation that the Bears will target USC Trojans standout Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Former Super Bowl MVP and sports commentator Phil Simms recently weighed in on why he believes Williams is the superior choice at quarterback.
“[Justin Fields] just struggled with processing,” remarked Simms during an episode of the Ross Tucker Podcast. “He had some really rough games, and everyone says the offense wasn’t up to par…but when I watched the tape, I saw open receivers everywhere.” Simms continued, “Now, I thought he improved towards the end, but Caleb Williams, in my opinion, is clearly a better passer than Justin Fields.”
Simms’ assessment prompts the question: is the former Super Bowl champion correct? As he pointed out, Fields encountered difficulties in making quick decisions and finding open targets throughout his tenure with the Bears. Nonetheless, he showed signs of progress towards the latter part of the 2023-24 season, guiding Chicago to a 5-2 record in their final seven games.
By season’s end, Fields had accumulated 2,562 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. However, the Bears concluded the season with a 7-10 overall record, falling short of securing a spot in the NFL Playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Now, Fields is embarking on a fresh chapter with the Steelers, while the Bears set their sights on selecting a new quarterback in the upcoming draft. It appears highly probable that Chicago will opt for Caleb Williams with their pick, as many pundits view him as a transformative talent capable of elevating a franchise.
Williams’ collegiate career certainly adds to the anticipation surrounding his draft prospects. Beginning at Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to USC for his sophomore year in 2022, Williams experienced a remarkable transformation upon his move to Southern California.
Following a freshman season where he threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns at OU, Williams surged to an impressive 4,537 yards and 42 TDs during his inaugural year at USC. This outstanding performance culminated in him clinching the prestigious Heisman Trophy honor, triumphing over other notable contenders, including former Ohio State standout CJ Stroud, who later earned the title of 2023-24 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In his subsequent junior year, Williams maintained solid production despite playing through a sprained pinky finger. Accumulating 3,622 yards and 30 TDs, he led the Trojans to a 7-5 regular season record, although it fell short of the previous year’s achievement when the team advanced to the 2022-23 Pac-12 Championship.