For the first time in a long time, Chicago Bears fans have a season to look forward to in 2024.
After shipping the top overall pick in 2023 to Carolina for a haul that included the ninth pick in the 2023 draft (became Darnell Wright after a trade), the 61st in 2023 (became Tyrique Stevenson after a trade), a first-round pick in 2024 (Caleb Williams), a second-round pick in 2025, and wide receiver DJ Moore, Chicago put itself in a tremendous spot.
The deal kept getting sweeter when Carolina floundered during the 2023 season, winning just two games. The Panthers’ horrendous season resulted in Chicago obtaining the top overall pick in this year’s draft, which was used on quarterback phenom Caleb Williams.
Let’s look at our favorite Bears regular-season special for this upcoming campaign, which will be one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory.
Caleb Williams to throw 35+ passing touchdowns (+950, FanDuel)
Don’t be surprised when the Bears unleash Williams from Day 1. The former USC product walks into one of the most unique situations for a rookie quarterback — his team, particularly the offense, is extraordinarily talented. The Bears’ wide receiver room is stacked, especially after they selected Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in the draft.
Williams not only has a future WR1 at his disposal, but he also has Moore from the blockbuster trade with Carolina and Keenan Allen from the surprising move this offseason with Los Angeles.
Alongside that elite trio, Chicago also has former Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, who is fresh off a 73-reception season, his best to date. It doesn’t stop there. Chicago also added one of the better pass-catching backs in the league, D’Andre Swift.
So, the rookie phenom will have five exceptional receiving options, but will he have time in the pocket?
When healthy, the Bears’ offensive line ranked among the top in the NFL last year, and Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones, Tevin Jenkins and Nate Davis all return. If Ryan Bates can step in and fill the void at center, Chicago will be in fantastic shape.
Even if Williams occasionally gets flushed out of the pocket, few quarterbacks in the NFL can make the kind of throws on the run that Williams can.
Is it a little ambitious to think Williams will toss 35 or more touchdowns this upcoming season? Perhaps. However, this is the perfect situation for any quarterback, let alone a highly touted rookie quarterback.
Williams’ confidence should be sky-high from the beginning of the season simply because he won’t be rushed in his progressions with a top-tier offensive line. He should nearly always have a receiver open since this is one of the most talented receiver corps.