Chicago Bears 2024 Mock Draft: Justin Fields' injury spells the end
What if Justin Fields' recent injury causes the team to ultimately move on next offseason?
By Ryan Heckman
Week 6 not only ended with a loss, but a huge injury blow to the Chicago Bears.
Quarterback Justin Fields left the game with a thumb dislocation, and some of the latest reports suggest he could be out weeks. If Fields is out for an extended period of time, he will give the Bears every reason why the team should move on from him in the offseason.
General manager Ryan Poles will get the opportunity to draft his own quarterback and, more than likely, turn over the coaching staff. At the moment, Chicago owns the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
So, if Fields is out for a while and the Bears continue down this road, how could their draft turn out? Let's dive in.
519. . 1. . Caleb Williams, QB. USC. . Caleb Williams pick. .
With the first overall pick, the Bears will obviously draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams, thus ending the Fields era, if they hadn't already traded him. Williams is the consensus top quarterback in this class and possesses generational talent.
Think of his traits like a combination of Patrick Mahomes and Andrew Luck. He does just about everything well, especially improvisation. Last year's Heisman winner may end up winning a second one in a row this season, bringing quite the college pedigree to Chicago. Williams would be the best quarterback prospect this franchise has ever boasted, of course a title previously held by Fields.
Poles likely would have gone out already and hired his top offensive-minded coaching candidate after Matt Eberflus was given his walking papers. From here on out, the Bears will be expected to be a totally different team with an offensive identity.