Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, as expected, in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Last year's draft trade with the Carolina Panthers allowed Chicago to move to the No. 1 spot this year. Williams was the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Bears for the entire pre-draft process, and it became more apparent when they dealt Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a month ago. Not only is the 22-year-old the safest QB prospect in this year's class, but he's entering a situation in Chicago that should be conducive to immediate success in real life and in fantasy. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be the clear top pick in rookie-only fantasy drafts this fall and should be in play in two-QB leagues in 2024 as well.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the potential No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, made his top-30 facility visit to the Chicago Bears on Wednesday, according to sources. Williams was in town for dinner on Tuesday night as well. It's likely his only visit with Chicago before they most likely take him with the No. 1 overall pick later this month. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is the consensus top QB prospect in this year's draft class. The Bears tipped their hand by already trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, so Williams is fully expected to be taken first overall as Chicago's next franchise signal-caller. Williams' college production fell off in his final year in 2023, but he's still likely to start right away in Week 1 of his rookie season in the NFL this fall.

The Chicago Bears signing of former Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift was one of the first moves of free agency, and head coach Matt Eberflus suggested he will be a passing game weapon for the organization. "We just felt that we wanted a home-run hitter there. I think D'Andre brings that. We wanted a weapon back -; a guy who could be a weapon out of the backfield," Eberflus said. "I know that in situational football it's very difficult to be able to have the two guys outside covered, two tight ends covered, and then you got another situation where you have the weapon back inside. So that was critical." It sounds like Chicago is planning to utilize Swift out of the backfield more often, which was a role he excelled in while in Detroit. Swift posted just a 10% target share in his lone season in Philadelphia after being at 15.1% in 2022 and 18.4% in 2021. With Chicago almost certainly slated to take USC's Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Swift could see a ton of usage underneath as a receiver while Williams feels out the NFL game.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he thinks a long-term contract extension will come "down the road" for new wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is entering the final year of a four-year deal in 2024. "I try to be intentional with the order that we do extensions, so we'll review that and kind of see what our order looks like. But for what he stands for, I would love to have him long term," Poles said. The Bears might look to lock up DJ Moore first, but Chicago wants to keep their one-two punch of Moore and Allen around in the Windy City long term for USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who the Bears are expected to take first overall in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite missing the last four games in 2023 with an injury, Allen had a career-high 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 13 games for the Bolts. However, his numbers could come down in his first year in Chicago while sharing the load with Moore with a rookie QB likely running the offense.

The Chicago Bears will host USC quarterback Caleb Williams for a visit at Halas Hall in the first week of April, at which point the Bears will get their medical evaluation of Williams. The Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, signaling that they will almost certainly hold onto the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft to select Williams as their future franchise signal-caller. Williams didn't work out at the scouting combine in Indianapolis and didn't disclose any medical information, either, so the Bears will get a closer look at their future QB soon. Not only does the 22-year-old have the most long-term upside of any passer in this year's class, but the Bears have upgraded their offense this offseason so that hopefully Williams can come in and hit the ground running from Day 1.