Could the Bears select Caleb Williams in the draft or opt to trade the top pick?

At the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the speculation surrounding Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ plans for the No. 1 pick in April’s draft reached such a fervent pitch that he resorted to putting his phone on “Do Not Disturb.” However, this did little to dampen the chatter regarding whether Poles will opt to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top pick or explore trading it to build around current starter Justin Fields.

According to an NFC player personnel executive, who anticipates Poles selecting Williams, the opportunity to secure a franchise quarterback is a rare one and shouldn’t be overlooked. In an ESPN poll of representatives from 22 NFL teams, the consensus, by an 18-4 margin, is that the Bears will indeed choose Williams with the first pick.

As for the question of whether the Bears should trade the pick and focus on Fields, opinions are divided. While the tally stands at 17-5 against trading the pick and supporting Fields, one NFC college scout suggests drafting Williams while retaining Fields for another season.

However, some voices advocate for a different approach. An AFC player personnel executive, for instance, proposes trading Fields to Atlanta for multiple draft picks, suggesting a pragmatic move forward.

Meanwhile, DraftKings, an online sportsbook, has been tracking odds on Fields’ next team since February. Initially, the Falcons were considered long shots at 6-1 odds, but recent rumors have boosted their prospects significantly, with DraftKings now favoring them heavily at -425 odds.

Overall, the sentiment among scouts and insiders points to the Bears leaning towards drafting Williams, with one NFC scout even deeming it inevitable at this juncture.