The Chicago Bears have high hopes that No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is the quarterback who will usher in a new era of championship-caliber football in the Windy City.
Williams is widely viewed as a generational prospect at the position, and lands in an offense with an elite receiving corps in place thanks to the additions of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze arriving over the past two offseasons. There might not be a more explosive or prolific collection of receivers in the league.
What Could Derail Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears in 2024?
However, while optimism is surging about Williams and his upside, one league executive thinks there’s only one thing that could hold the quarterback back from leading the Bears back to the promised land.
“Caleb should be really good as a rookie,” an NFC Executive told me recently, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about a player on another team. “He can make plays when the offensive line breaks down. The biggest question and only real worry is will the offensive line hold up in front of him.”
Obviously, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears don’t share much worry about the offensive line, opting to select Odunze No. 9 overall rather than prioritizing selecting one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class to pair with Williams.
To the executive’s point, though, Pro Football Focus lists Bears offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Write No. 31 and No. 32, respectively, for the upcoming season.
Likewise, the Bears’ offensive line finished 21st in the league in PFF’s rankings for the 2023 campaign.
Veteran tackle Matt Pryor should provide some veteran stability as the Bears‘ swing-tackle in 2024, but, if anything can limit the Bears’ ceiling, and the productivity of Williams and his electrifying supporting cast it could prove to be the offensive line.
