Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
THIS ARTICLE IS A PREDICTION
The Chicago Bears, with the Washington Commanders win over the New Orleans Saints, have been eliminated from the 2024-25 NFL playoffs.It was supposed to be a season of hope, and turning a new leaf with trading Justin Fields and drafting their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. That is not what ended up happening, and instead the Bears sit at 4-9 with a disgruntled team, and no head coach after firing Matt Eberflus. The Bears still have a ways to go until they are contenders, and that will result in Caleb Williams requesting a trade.
Williams was a talented prospect coming out of USC, and his talent was showcased enough to warrant being taken first overall by the Chicago Bears. Williams had finished his college career with 10,098 yards and 93 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes. Add on his rushing ability that led to 1,539 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground and it’s easy to see why Williams was taken early. He has great arm talent to reach all three levels and throw from various angles, but his rushing ability allows him to extend plays outside the pocket and throw off-platform.
There was plenty of hype around Williams coming to Chicago, but things have not been fantastic. Williams has done his best, but the team around him has not done their job. While it appeared as though a receiving group of Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and ROme Odunze would be beneficial, it hasn’t. Moore has looked disinterested and not finishing plays at points, Allen’s age is holding him back from truly making an impact, and Odunze is really the only standout receiver but is just a rookie. The offensive line has also been an issue, allowing Williams to be pressured 177 times which has led to 56 sacks. For a rookie that is not sustainable, and has caused Williams to struggle fully adjusting to the NFL because he doesn’t have any time to make a play before getting pressured.
Williams is used to being able to perform at a high level, and win. He has still been able to put up 2,746 yards and 16 touchdowns with just five interceptions while completing 62.% of his passes, but the offense of the Bears has led to him not being able to perform at his peak. With Williams, he will want to win a Super Bowl, and as it currently stands with how the Bears are constructed, they are far off from that. Williams is 23, and will see that he is playing in the early prime of his career, with how things have went, and seeing how Chicago has failed to properly build around their quarterback in the past, expect Williams to request a trade at some point and chase winning a Super Bowl early on to avoid his career being wasted.
