When the 2024 NFL Draft dust settles, Caleb Williams likely will be with the Chicago Bears, and Justin Fields probably will be elsewhere.
A recent report — if you can call it that — from legendary columnist Peter King indicated the Bears could be leaning toward trading the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. But one of the league’s top insiders dumped cold water on that take Thursday evening.
Bears Will Likely Keep the No. 1 Pick and Take Caleb Williams
Earlier this offseason, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported the Bears would need “historic compensation” to move the No. 1 pick. And he offered an update during a segment from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, reporting no teams currently are willing to pay Chicago’s massive asking price.
“Here’s my understanding of where it stands for the Chicago Bears who, once again, in Indianapolis, hold the No. 1 overall pick,” Rapoport said. “In order for them to move off No. 1 — to trade No. 1 and forgo the chance of taking, potentially, Caleb Williams at the No. 1 overall pick — it would need to be a historic draft haul, a crazy draft haul.
“I have not yet talked to any team … willing to make that happen or … that believes they can. Certainly seems like the Bears are heading in the direction of taking Caleb Williams at No. 1.”
NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah later corroborated Rapoport’s report.
“I’d be surprised if the Bears didn’t stick and pick Caleb Williams,” Jeremiah said Thursday night. “… That’s what feels like the likely thing to me, it’s felt like that for some time.”
What Does This Mean for Justin Fields?
Rapoport and Jeremiah both suggested the Bears would ultimately trade Fields. But what could Chicago get in return?
Jeff Howe of The Athletic recently spoke with eight NFL executives who offered their takes.
“The majority opinion is the Bears would corral a second- or third-round pick, but there was some variation in those responses,” Howe wrote. “One executive said he’d be worth a second-rounder or its equivalent value in a package of a third- and fifth-round pick.
“Two other executives thought the return would be a second- or third-rounder, depending where the selection is in the round. Another believed it could be a 2025 third-round pick that could become a second-rounder based on certain statistical benchmarks.”
KEEP READING: Caleb Williams Discusses Possibility of Playing in Chicago
Howe added one executive said they’d only give up a third-round pick, while another predicted Fields would net a second-rounder, a price too steep for the executive’s team.
“There’s a reason they’re moving on,” an executive told Howe.
It feels as if Fields could be traded at any moment, with the Atlanta Falcons reportedly considered the most likely landing spot.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!