The Chicago Bears are, hopefully, entering a new era of football that will see their first-round quarterback have a long string of success in the NFL. As all fans are well-aware, the Bears selected USC’s Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Prior to that, they traded former first-round pick Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And before they drafted Fields back in 2021, they declined the fifth-year option of former second-overall pick Mitch Trubisky and allowed him to leave in free agency.
In other words, the Bears have not had good fortune when it comes to picking quarterbacks. Williams, by all accounts, should be different because of his generational talent.
However, generational talent cannot make up for some mistakes, especially two that the Bears made this offseason.
1. The Chicago Bears Did Not Get an Established Veteran Quarterback to Backup Caleb Williams
The Bears, of course, have already named Williams as their starting quarterback this season. Additionally, they have done a good job of getting him an improved group of wide receivers to throw to. First round pick Rome Odunze and trade acquisition Keenan Allen join Darnell Mooney as one of the most exciting trios of pass catchers in the NFL.
However, what they have failed to do is get a veteran quarterback who can show Williams the ropes in the NFL. That is not to say they should have signed a veteran to start over him (though the Green Bay Packers have proven that formula works). Rather, it means that they should have signed an accomplished aging veteran who can act as a second quarterbacks coach to the young rookie.
Currently, Chicago has Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien behind Williams. Neither has had much success in the NFL. Former Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill remains a free agent, but would have been a great signing to help Williams adjust to life in the NFL.
2. The Chicago Bears Did Not Hire Great Offensive Coaches
One major change that the Bears made this offseason was to fire offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. They replaced him with Shane Waldron, who used to be the offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. However, Waldron’s offenses have left much to be desired, never finishing higher than 13th overall in the NFL.
Waldron brought quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph with him from Seattle. Neither coach has a long string of success developing quarterbacks. Williams would benefit much more from having at least one coach on staff that has worked with developing rookie quarterbacks before.
He does not have one, however, and that could cause problems after the season starts.
