Chicago Bears offseason

[Brian707]

[BigbadB]

9 hours ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Well it's probably equally naive to believe any team holding that #1 wouldn't have big concerns.

Maybe this is a reference to Caleb and his father originally stating they didn't want to be drafted by any crappy teams that might end up being so bad they end up with the first pick in the draft? Even went as far to say he'd rather just stay in school than be drafted by a lousy team. 

Of course, same problem next year, and the year after that, etc... Seems to me someone has talked a bit of sense into him and told him to slow down on his narrative. I'd also imagine Chicago may not look nearly as bad of a destination as they were looking before the defense improved. Granted, they still have the history of poor QB development/play that will haunt them until someone changes that history. But, the Bears have some new coaches on the offensive side (with familiarity with some of those coaches), some talent to build on, cap space and draft picks to turn a struggling franchise back into a playoff team in shorter order than Washington and NE. 

Technically, the Bears were the 9th worst team, and the first pick in the draft was because of someone else being the worst team in the league. I don't know, just spitballing. He could still be just as passionate about wanting to be traded to a SoCal team or a team with tons of success and history. 

He does seem like a personality that will expect results in his first contract, or he'll be willing to go where he has a better chance at results on his second one.

 

[BigSlick]

14 hours ago, jersey cubs fan said:

Lots of people have said it. 
 

I’ve read multiple variations of “but the current iteration of the bears has nothing to do with past teams” 

 

it’s just terribly naive. This is still a team run by a defensive head coach with a mediocre OC and it is very likely the staff will be gone within 2 years. There is no offensive infrastructure in place and no hopes of one being built without a superstar qb doing it on his own. 
 

as for the evidence, it’s been rumored all season long that he’d avoid a bad situation. The bears are a bad situation for young QBs. It’s a plausible story. My objection is to the people saying it is implausible. 

Ok - now look at all the other teams Caleb could go to and tell me why the Bears situation is worse for an incoming QB. 

Look at Wash, NE, AZ, NYG, etc down the line, and tell me why those teams seem far friendlier to a rookie QB. (You can't. Because their rosters are way worse and they have way more upheaval in the front office)

[UMFan83]

At least a little interesting that Kliff swerved last minute and appears to be taking the Commanders job now?

I could see Poles overthinking this and trade down 1 spot if he can get a 2025 1st and taking Maye

[Magnetic Curses]

2 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

At least a little interesting that Kliff swerved last minute and appears to be taking the Commanders job now?

I could see Poles overthinking this and trade down 1 spot if he can get a 2025 1st and taking Maye

Nothing is finalized, but I can see the Commanders grabbing Kliff because of either QB. Drake ran the Air Raid at UNC as well, so it fits both. Personally, I like Drake and think he's a franchise QB. The Commanders would be well-served to take Drake and use their bounty of picks to surround him with talent. Which I think they will do while the Bears head off into the sunset with Caleb.

 

I do trust Poles. He's not stupid. He's done a desperate thing here and there, but he's not going to overthink this. He was on the parade bus with Mahomes, he knows what that looks like.

[minnesotacubsfan]

13 hours ago, jersey cubs fan said:

What?

no, seriously, what is wrigley talking about? the Bears land investment has nothing to do with their decisions on the field, at least they dont need to

 

 

 

 

[jersey cubs fan]

6 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

At least a little interesting that Kliff swerved last minute and appears to be taking the Commanders job now?

I could see Poles overthinking this and trade down 1 spot if he can get a 2025 1st and taking Maye

Well that’s very interesting. 

[BigbadB]

10 hours ago, jersey cubs fan said:

Well that’s very interesting. 

Now there's rumors of Getsy taking the OC job in LV. I'm kinda glad he's getting another OC job. It will give us some perspective on good/bad he was at doing the job in Chicago. It might remove LV as an option for Fields suitors, however. Can't imagine the higher ups in LV saw the Getsy/Fields show in Chicago and declared they "want some a dat". 

[Outshined_One]

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

[jersey cubs fan]

17 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

They’ll never get anything good from Washington. If he wants to go to Washington and Kliff, they will be forced into a weak trade. The only leverage they have is other teams willing to offer more, and teams aren’t going to be desperate to move up for a guy that wants to go to another team. It won’t be a secret.  
 

getting the first overall and then losing it for nothing more than a 2nd would suck. 

[Tryptamine]

10 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

Maybe it's prospect fatigue, but it's going to take a lot for me to move off #1 even if it's just to #2. The more I see, the more I think the gap between Williams and Maye is not the toss up I thought it was just a couple months ago and actually might be somewhat substantial. I know this is ridiculous by the trade values sheet, but I'm seriously asking for #2, #36, 2025 2nd and McLaurin and I debate if the 2025 2nd shouldn't be a 1st. 

[WrigleyField 22]

39 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

If Caleb has a landing spot secured in Washington, what's his benefit to keeping it low key rather than leveraging it against Chicago?

[Outshined_One]

1 hour ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

If Caleb has a landing spot secured in Washington, what's his benefit to keeping it low key rather than leveraging it against Chicago?

PR? The story would be "Caleb comes home" instead of "superstar QB throws tantrum".

It's a weak reason, I'll admit it, but it's something.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

3 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

2, 36, next year's first and a future 2nd

[WrigleyField 22]

49 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

PR? The story would be "Caleb comes home" instead of "superstar QB throws tantrum".

It's a weak reason, I'll admit it, but it's something.

Yea. I mean obviously he doesn't have to go live on air at ESPN and make demands, but "going easy" on Chicago where they salvage a overpay is directly against his own interests since he'd presumably want as much help as he can turning around Washington.

 

I guess the only justification is if he was narrowly focused on Washington. I guess maybe because of the home town thing?

[raw]

3 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

Hypothetical time (because this is basically all we'll have until draft day).

Caleb Williams privately approaches the Bears and says he's going to pull an Eli Manning if they draft him, and he can't be talked out of it, but he'll keep quiet about it so the Bears won't lose leverage.  It then becomes abundantly clear that Washington desperately wants him and they're willing to overpay.

What's the minimum draft package from Washington that would make you happy in in this scenario?  2 and 36?  2, 36, and 40?  Something more?

Call his bluff. 

[Tryptamine]

I don't buy for a minute that he wouldn't come to Chicago if drafted. With that said, I do strongly believe that Washington is going to do just about everything in their power to try and move up to #1 and bring Caleb home. In fact, I'd guess there have already been some pretty in depth discussions about it already. If no trade is made, I can't wait to hear what the asking price from the Bears was, because it better be big. 2,36 and 40 isn't enough.

[Tim]

1 hour ago, Tryptamine said:

I don't buy for a minute that he wouldn't come to Chicago if drafted. With that said, I do strongly believe that Washington is going to do just about everything in their power to try and move up to #1 and bring Caleb home. In fact, I'd guess there have already been some pretty in depth discussions about it already. If no trade is made, I can't wait to hear what the asking price from the Bears was, because it better be big. 2,36 and 40 isn't enough.

If the Bears are going to make the move from #1, it better be because they're getting more than that. I wouldn't trade down to #2 without adding at least a future #1 to that offer. I don't think there's a huge gap between Maye and Daniels, so Washington would have to beat an offer from NE for me.

[Old Style]

Yes, please. 

[jumbo]

16 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

I don't buy for a minute that he wouldn't come to Chicago if drafted. With that said, I do strongly believe that Washington is going to do just about everything in their power to try and move up to #1 and bring Caleb home. In fact, I'd guess there have already been some pretty in depth discussions about it already. If no trade is made, I can't wait to hear what the asking price from the Bears was, because it better be big. 2,36 and 40 isn't enough.

Bill Barnwell wrote an article about Bears trade downs and tweeted a few of the scenarios. His trade from Washington was #2, 40, 163

Definitely not worth it if you think Caleb is appreciably better than Maye/Daniels

The rest:

Patriots was 3, 34, 2025 1st, 2025 3rd

Cardinals 4, 27, 35, 90, 2025 2nd

Giants 6, 39, 47, 2025 1st

Titans 7, 38, 2025 2nd, Jeffrey Simmons

Falcons 8, 43, 2025 1st, 2025 3rd, 2026 1st

[Tim]

11 minutes ago, jumbo said:

Bill Barnwell wrote an article about Bears trade downs and tweeted a few of the scenarios. His trade from Washington was #2, 40, 163

Definitely not worth it if you think Caleb is appreciably better than Maye/Daniels

The rest:

Patriots was 3, 34, 2025 1st, 2025 3rd

Cardinals 4, 27, 35, 90, 2025 2nd

Giants 6, 39, 47, 2025 1st

Titans 7, 38, 2025 2nd, Jeffrey Simmons

Falcons 8, 43, 2025 1st, 2025 3rd, 2026 1st

That list tells me...Just draft Caleb.

[BigSlick]

I don’t truly believe there’s any chance Caleb will refuse to play here but if he does, you trade down to 2, get as much as you can and you roll the dice with Maye.

but I really won’t start doombonering about it until someone other than Colin Cowherd trying to get a bunch of attention (which he succeeded marvelously at) reports something definitive. The fact that Cowherd had to walk it back (and it sounded from him that the Williams camp was kinda pissed) leads me to believe there’s nothing truly there.

[Tryptamine]

14 hours ago, Old Style said:

Yes, please. 

He's #2 on my center list. Jackson Powers-Johnson is definitely the guy to get, but you're going to have to be comfortable drafting him in the middle of the 2nd which is quite high for a center.

[Old Style]

19 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

He's #2 on my center list. Jackson Powers-Johnson is definitely the guy to get, but you're going to have to be comfortable drafting him in the middle of the 2nd which is quite high for a center.

I’m obviously biased but I prefer my guys in the trenches to be from the SEC. Maybe Big Ten on the OL. 

[jersey cubs fan]

27 minutes ago, BigSlick said:

I don’t truly believe there’s any chance Caleb will refuse to play here but if he does, you trade down to 2, get as much as you can and you roll the dice with Maye.

but I really won’t start doombonering about it until someone other than Colin Cowherd trying to get a bunch of attention (which he succeeded marvelously at) reports something definitive. The fact that Cowherd had to walk it back (and it sounded from him that the Williams camp was kinda pissed) leads me to believe there’s nothing truly there.

I assume he’ll go to whomever drafts him until hearing more to the contrary, but this is not just a “nothing there” story. 
 

It’s been hinted at and referenced on numerous occasions. He doesn’t have an agent, so who knows who his “camp” truly is. The father said he may choose not to go in draft depending on who was going to take him. The Chicago bears are a bottom tier offensive team historically and recently. They are poised to do the exact same thing they did last time they drafted a qb early - fire the head coach after one disappointing season, and their current OC is very uninspiring. 
 

and now an oc he has close ties with went to the team that picks 2nd in the draft and happens to be his hometown team. 
 

There’s a pretty direct line from where we are today to the worst case scenario here. And the Bears have a tendency to find the worst case scenario. 
 

The question is whether the worst case is they talk themselves into Maye at 1 partly because they get vibes from Williams, effectively handing the first pick to Washington for nothing. Or if it’s trading down and getting nominal value because Williams was their guy and they didn’t think they could make him happy.