Chicago’s recent move to trade Justin Fields for whatever they might get suggests that they are planning to select a quarterback with the first overall pick in 2024. The question then becomes, who will they choose?
There is speculation that Caleb Williams will be the top pick for Chicago. It appears that Williams has made the decision to play for the Bears, despite it potentially not being the most ideal destination for him. He is willing to accept the “honor and privilege” that comes with being drafted and having his NFL career begin with the Bears.
In the past, there have been a few instances where the first overall pick has made a power play. John Elway managed to convince the Colts to draft him and then trade him in 1983. Bo Jackson told the Buccaneers that he would play baseball if they selected him with the first overall pick in 1986. Eli Manning, with the help of his father Archie, orchestrated a trade following being drafted by the Chargers in 2004.
It makes sense for more top prospects to assert their power, especially now that they have the ability to earn money through NIL deals. Why not provide the NFL with a list of teams that a player is willing to play for and threaten to sit out the season if they are not selected by one of those teams? There’s also the option for a player to return to college football if they do not accept any financial benefits from the NFL or hire an agent and still have eligibility remaining.
The first NFL destination for a quarterback can greatly impact their long-term success. Dysfunctional teams tend to stay dysfunctional, and that dysfunction can affect a player’s prospects and perception. If Williams has truly considered all teams and determined that the Bears are his best option, then that’s great. However, if he has considered other teams and would prefer to play elsewhere, why shouldn’t he try to make that happen?
It’s understandable that Williams may have reservations regarding certain teams and their track records. Trey Lance, who was selected third overall by the 49ers in 2021, has seemingly been forgotten due to circumstances and football decisions that have prevented him from getting playing time. Zach Wilson, the consensus second overall selection in 2021, has faced ridicule following being drafted by the dysfunctional Jets. The Jets have admitted that they shouldn’t have thrown Wilson into the mix right away, considering they had a first-year head coach who wasn’t an offensive specialist. It’s impossible to know if Wilson would have thrived in a different situation.
Caleb Williams owes it to himself and his career to thoroughly evaluate the draft order and assess the dysfunctionality, or lack thereof, of the teams that hold the top picks. The teams currently holding the first four selections all have defensive head coaches. Therefore, if any of those teams (Bears, Commanders, Patriots, Cardinals) were to select Williams and he were to succeed there, the offensive coordinator would inevitably become a highly sought-following head coaching candidate, which would then require Williams to adjust to another offensive coordinator.
Williams may have reasons to consider the Giants as well, who hold the sixth pick. Thriving in the New York market might lead to significant off-field earnings. Additionally, the Giants have an offensive head coach who has proven his ability to maximize the potential of quarterbacks like Josh Allen when Brian Daboll served as the offensive coordinator in Buffalo.
While it’s unlikely that the Bears will trade the first overall pick to the Vikings, it’s worth considering the possibilities of what Williams might achieve if paired with Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell has a track record of transforming quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins into highly successful players, and he even managed to extract a 400-yard passing game from Nick Mullens.
The point here is that top players in the draft have more power than they realize. It’s not just a luxury to exercise that power; it can be a necessity. The team a player is drafted by can be a major factor in determining their success or failure in the NFL.
Perhaps Williams is talented enough to overcome the potential challenges of an unfavorable circumstance. However, it’s essential for him to consider the stability and continuity of the team he may join. Sanders’ comments regarding Fields’ situation in Chicago raise valid questions regarding the stability of the organization and the impact it may have on Williams’ career.
Overall, it’s important for players at the top of the draft to be willing to push back and assert their power. In the pre-NIL era, this happened only three times. With the increase in players’ financial opportunities, it seems inevitable that a player will reject the notion of being subject to the NFL’s draft process and instead communicate their preferred destinations.
