Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are expected to meet with USC quarterback Caleb Williams after his pro day on March 20, but they initially wanted to talk to him after the NFL scouting combine, which would be incredibly early. In an ideal world, Chicago would be able to assess this year's QB class before deciding what to do with Justin Fields. But it's not practical for the Bears to wait until mid-August to trade Fields, when the spots available for veteran signal-callers across the NFL have filled up. The Bears also want to do right by Fields and trade him before the start of free agency next week, if possible, to maximize his value. It would be a pretty big surprise at this point if the Bears don't hold on to the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to select Williams as their franchise QB.

In an interview with ESPN, top 2024 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Caleb Williams said he'd be "excited" if the Chicago Bears drafted him in April. For months, there have been rumors that Williams would like to avoid being taken by Chicago, but he has never suggested it himself. "If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited," Williams said. "If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I'm just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they'd be excited." Williams is set to meet with the Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport. He will take part in meetings, but he has opted out of participating in on-field work this week. The Bears must decide if they want to continue rolling with Justin Fields at quarterback, or potentially trade him and make the former USC star the future of the franchise ahead of the 2024 season.

On the podium at the 2024 NFL Combine, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said he "loves where Roschon Johnson is in his development." This was in response to a question about Johnson's potential prospects of being the team's lead back in 2024. The former Texas Longhorn rushed 81 times for 352 yards and two touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 209 yards in his rookie season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 25-year-old ball-carrier Khalil Herbert remains on the roster, while veteran D'Onta Foreman is a free agent. While Eberflus' comments are a good sign, it's far too early to project Johnson's potential workload. With a strong free agent and underrated rookie running back class available this offseason, the organization could easily add to its running back room.

USC quarterback and projected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is not expected to throw at all during this week's NFL scouting combine, according to sources. Williams will instead throw at his school's pro day on March 20. The 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner in 2022 could go to the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall if they hold onto the pick and choose to move on from Justin Fields this offseason. He spent three years in college at Oklahoma and USC and is the clear top QB prospect heading into the NFL draft in 2024. While Williams' numbers didn't look as good in 2023 compared to his Heisman-winning season in 2022, he should still be expected to start from Day 1 in the NFL in his rookie season in 2024.

Chicago Bears fullback Khari Blasingame is the team's next candidate to be released this offseason after the Bears already released safety Eddie Jackson and guard/center Cody Whitehair in cost-cutting moves. The moves to release Jackson and Whitehair saved nearly $22 million against the 2024 salary cap. Releasing Blasingame would result in $1.6 million in savings with no dead money left on the books. He's a true fullback who could fit into new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's visions, but he's also a stalwart on special teams. The 27-year-old has played in 32 games (eight starts) for the Bears the last two years and has just eight carries for 26 yards and three receptions for two yards.