Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryan Poles expected to draft first overall for the Chicago Bears?
Ryan Poles is expected to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The drafting of Williams appears to be a foregone conclusion after extensive scouting by Poles and his front office.
What mistake did Ryan Pace make in 2017 that Poles is trying to avoid?
Ryan Pace drafted Mitchell Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in 2017. Pace was so focused on Trubisky that he scouted him incognito while never meeting with Mahomes during the pre-draft process, and he's heavily mocked for not doing more scouting on the other quarterbacks.
How extensively have the Bears scouted Caleb Williams compared to other quarterbacks?
The Bears had their entire front office attend Williams' pro day at USC, brought him to Halas Hall for a top 30 visit, and had team veterans have dinner with him. No other quarterback prospect received a top 30 visit to Halas Hall or had the same number of front office members attend their pro days.
Who did Ryan Poles hire as the new offensive coordinator for the Bears?
Poles hired Shane Waldron, the former Seahawks offensive coordinator who had been Seattle's play-caller for three seasons. Waldron helped Geno Smith become one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL and earn a Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
Which other rookie quarterbacks could potentially outperform Williams in 2024?
Poles will face scrutiny if Williams is outperformed by other rookie quarterbacks including Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and JJ McCarthy. It will take a few years to know if the Bears drafted the right quarterback, but comparisons will begin as soon as this season.