The moment the Chicago Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was obvious: GM Ryan Poles would select his quarterback and, one way or another, end the Justin Fields era.
Bears fans hoped Chicago would net more than a late Day-3 pick in 2025 from the Pittsburgh Steelers for Fields, but the fact Poles accepted Pittsburgh's offer was, in part, motivated by his desire to clear the runway for Caleb Williams, the expected first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
But before Williams could be deemed a lock for that first pick, the Bears had to do their due diligence, which usually includes player visits, medicals, and more.
In the case of the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, none of that was necessary for Poles to pull the trigger on a Fields trade and roll the dice on Williams as his guy. It was a surprising gamble by Poles. It even shocked Williams.
“I was in the car. I was driving to a business meeting. I’m listening to music. I’m bobbing my head. I probably got on Drake. I’m chilling," Williams said during a recent appearance on "The Pivot." 'I’m in West Hollywood driving to a business meeting and all I see is my phone explodes. Whether it’s actual regular fans or whether it’s ESPN or whatever the case may be. I pick up my phone, and it’s going off, and I’m trying to figure out because it went from nothing to maybe a couple texts to phone. I end up calling a couple people and was just like, ‘Welp, we know where their mind and heart is at in this instance.’ Let’s prepare and get ready and handle things accordingly and still do our due diligence on the situation and things like that.
The moment the Chicago Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was obvious: GM Ryan Poles would select \x3Cem>his \x3C/em>quarterback and, one way or another, end the Justin Fields era.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Bears fans hoped Chicago would net more than a late Day-3 pick in 2025 from the Pittsburgh Steelers for Fields, but the fact Poles accepted Pittsburgh's offer was, in part, motivated by his desire to clear the runway for Caleb Williams, the expected first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But before Williams could be deemed a lock for that first pick, the Bears had to do their due diligence, which usually includes player visits, medicals, and more.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>In the case of the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, none of that was necessary for Poles to pull the trigger on a Fields trade and roll the dice on Williams as his guy. It was a surprising gamble by Poles. It even shocked Williams.\x3C/p>\x3Cp id=\"isPasted\">“I was in the car. I was driving to a business meeting. I’m listening to music. I’m bobbing my head. I probably got on Drake. I’m chilling,\" Williams said during a recent appearance on \"\x3Ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsczrmkO-Yc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Pivot\x3C/a>.\" 'I’m in West Hollywood driving to a business meeting and all I see is my phone explodes. Whether it’s actual regular fans or whether it’s ESPN or whatever the case may be. I pick up my phone, and it’s going off, and I’m trying to figure out because it went from nothing to maybe a couple texts to phone. I end up calling a couple people and was just like, ‘Welp, we know where their mind and heart is at in this instance.’ Let’s prepare and get ready and handle things accordingly and still do our due diligence on the situation and things like that. \x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Ca href='https://bearstalk.com/2024/04/19/chicago-bears-2024-nfl-draft-marvin-harrison-jr-trade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MORE: Odds that Chicago Bears will trade up for Marvin Harrison Jr. just got worse\x3C/a>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"In that moment, it was kind of like, ‘Wow.’ Because I didn’t do my top-30 visit yet. They didn’t have my medicals and things like that. They have it all now and I had a good time on my top-30. But it was interesting right then in that moment because it was just so unexpected in that instance.”\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Perhaps this was the ultimate goal of Poles\" actions. Maybe he wanted to show Williams how \x3Cem>in \x3C/em>he was on him. The tape sold him. The background intel he gathered from his teammates and coaches sold him. He \x3Cem>knew\x3C/em> Williams was his guy, and he was ready to commit.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears will officially commit to Caleb Williams on Thursday, April 25, when the 2024 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>",excerpt:"Caleb Williams explains why he was surprised when the Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields.",featured_image_url:"/api/public/media/2025/07/caleb-williams-original.jpg",photo_credit:"Kara Durrette/Getty Images",status:"published",created_at:"2026-06-23T13:24:34.381588+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[14]=["NFL Draft"],tags:$R[15]=["caleb-williams","chicago-bears","justin-fields","news","nfl","nfl-draft"],meta_title:null,meta_description:null,og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:null,reading_time_minutes:null,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"public",is_featured:!1,linkedContent:"\x3Cp>The moment the Chicago Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was obvious: GM Ryan Poles would select \x3Cem>his \x3C/em>quarterback and, one way or another, end the Justin Fields era.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Bears fans hoped Chicago would net more than a late Day-3 pick in 2025 from the Pittsburgh Steelers for Fields, but the fact Poles accepted Pittsburgh's offer was, in part, motivated by his desire to clear the runway for \x3Ca href=\"/player/caleb-williams\" class=\"player-link\" data-player=\"caleb-williams\">Caleb Williams\x3C/a>, the expected first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But before Williams could be deemed a lock for that first pick, the Bears had to do their due diligence, which usually includes player visits, medicals, and more.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>In the case of the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, none of that was necessary for Poles to pull the trigger on a Fields trade and roll the dice on Williams as his guy. It was a surprising gamble by Poles. It even shocked Williams.\x3C/p>\x3Cp id=\"isPasted\">“I was in the car. I was driving to a business meeting. I’m listening to music. I’m bobbing my head. I probably got on Drake. I’m chilling,\" Williams said during a recent appearance on \"\x3Ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsczrmkO-Yc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Pivot\x3C/a>.\" 'I’m in West Hollywood driving to a business meeting and all I see is my phone explodes. Whether it’s actual regular fans or whether it’s ESPN or whatever the case may be. I pick up my phone, and it’s going off, and I’m trying to figure out because it went from nothing to maybe a couple texts to phone. I end up calling a couple people and was just like, ‘Welp, we know where their mind and heart is at in this instance.’ Let’s prepare and get ready and handle things accordingly and still do our due diligence on the situation and things like that. \x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Ca href='https://bearstalk.com/2024/04/19/chicago-bears-2024-nfl-draft-marvin-harrison-jr-trade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MORE: Odds that Chicago Bears will trade up for Marvin Harrison Jr. just got worse\x3C/a>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"In that moment, it was kind of like, ‘Wow.’ Because I didn’t do my top-30 visit yet. They didn’t have my medicals and things like that. They have it all now and I had a good time on my top-30. But it was interesting right then in that moment because it was just so unexpected in that instance.”\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Perhaps this was the ultimate goal of Poles\" actions. Maybe he wanted to show Williams how \x3Cem>in \x3C/em>he was on him. The tape sold him. The background intel he gathered from his teammates and coaches sold him. He \x3Cem>knew\x3C/em> Williams was his guy, and he was ready to commit.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears will officially commit to Caleb Williams on Thursday, April 25, when the 2024 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\x3Cbr>\x3C/br>\x3C/p>",related:$R[16]=[$R[17]={id:"4b462b1c-31bd-48fc-b5a1-6c8ae529bace",wp_post_id:100000000270,title:"Jay Glazer expects Bears to be aggressive at trade deadline, and Khalil Mack is already on their radar",slug:"jay-glazer-bears-trade-deadline-khalil-mack",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/10/26",published_at:"2026-10-26T14:10:16.045+00:00",updated_at:"2026-10-26T14:10:16.045+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears are 5-2, and Ryan Poles doesn't seem interested in sitting around and admiring what he's built.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>According to FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer, the Bears could be the most aggressive team in the NFC North as the NFL trade deadline approaches. And one familiar name has already surfaced in Chicago's conversations: Khalil Mack.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>\"I think of the teams in the NFC North, there's going to be one team that's going to be really aggressive when it comes to the trade deadline. I think that will be the Chicago Bears,\" Glazer said Sunday.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"Jay Glazer expects the Bears to be aggressive before the NFL trade deadline and says they've contacted the Chargers about Khalil Mack. Here's what it means for Ryan Poles.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1793023636833-7k14h9.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiI0ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc5MzAyMzYzNjgzMy03azE0aDkud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTMwMjM2MzgsImV4cCI6MjEwODM4MzYzOH0.jBfLqHOTj4BHpFcvKn5hTsy9GUrZs-3KAFtegPEWTKM",photo_credit:"Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports",status:"published",created_at:"2026-10-26T13:43:11.248089+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[18]=["News"],tags:$R[19]=["Austin Booker","Bears Trade Rumors","BearsTalk+","Chicago Bears","Dennis Allen","Jay Glazer","Khalil Mack","Los Angeles Chargers","Montez Sweat","NFL Trade Deadline","Ryan Poles"],meta_title:"Jay Glazer: Bears could be aggressive at trade deadline",meta_description:"Jay Glazer says the Bears could be aggressive at the trade deadline and have contacted the Chargers about Khalil Mack. Here's what it means for Chicago.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:null,reading_time_minutes:4,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"premium",is_featured:!0},$R[20]={id:"62a51c46-088c-4c38-bf90-b71134c89af0",wp_post_id:100000000268,title:"Ben Johnson doesn't care that the Bears lead the NFL in time of possession. Here's why that's a good thing.",slug:"ben-johnson-bears-time-of-possession-offense",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/10/24",published_at:"2026-10-24T18:59:55.448+00:00",updated_at:"2026-10-24T18:59:55.448+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears lead the NFL in time of possession. They're running more offensive plays than anybody else in football. And they're 5-2 following Thursday night's 30-24 victory over the New England Patriots.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>You'd think Ben Johnson would be thrilled with how much time his offense spends on the field.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>He's not particularly impressed. In fact, he'd prefer his offense spend considerably less time getting into the end zone.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears lead the NFL in time of possession, but Ben Johnson wants explosive touchdowns instead. Here's why his philosophy matters for Chicago.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1791814553896-1cz32w.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiI0ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc5MTgxNDU1Mzg5Ni0xY3ozMncud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTE4MTQ1NTQsImV4cCI6MjEwNzE3NDU1NH0.v_mq91FewGaLkD4waMFHAaENqweQD7lZXEhuczNye2Q",photo_credit:null,status:"published",created_at:"2026-10-24T18:47:43.717968+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[21]=["News"],tags:$R[22]=["Bears Offense","BearsTalk+","Ben Johnson","Caleb Williams","Chicago Bears","Colston Loveland","Luther Burden III","NFL 2026","Rome Odunze","Time of Possession"],meta_title:"Ben Johnson doesn't care about Bears' NFL-leading stat",meta_description:"The Chicago Bears lead the NFL in time of possession, but Ben Johnson wants explosive touchdowns instead. Here's why his philosophy matters for Chicago.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Ben Johnson",reading_time_minutes:4,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"premium",is_featured:!1},$R[23]={id:"526a0640-dc9d-45ae-92c1-ce84de8ea605",wp_post_id:100000000267,title:"Perez's 7: The Bears' win over the Patriots revealed something bigger than a 5-2 record",slug:"perezs-7-chicago-bears-patriots-week-7-2026",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/10/23",published_at:"2026-10-23T15:38:25.546+00:00",updated_at:"2026-10-23T15:38:25.546+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots 30-24 Thursday night at Soldier Field, snapping New England's three-game winning streak and giving Chicago another victory over an opponent with legitimate playoff aspirations.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Caleb Williams threw for 308 yards. Luther Burden III delivered the biggest receiving performance of his young career. Cairo Santos drilled a 58-yard field goal when the Bears desperately needed it. And those were only a few of the highlights.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But this wasn't a perfect game. Not even close.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots 30-24 Thursday night at Soldier Field, snapping New England's three-game winning streak and giving Chicago another victory over an opponen",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1792769631406-etcoqn.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiI0ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc5Mjc2OTYzMTQwNi1ldGNvcW4ud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTI3Njk2MzIsImV4cCI6MjEwODEyOTYzMn0.5ez00MFPnAWdT42NlwwqwCbJGBy_HVE518c1wHPme9U",photo_credit:" (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)",status:"published",created_at:"2026-10-23T15:03:48.016162+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[24]=["News"],tags:$R[25]=["BearsTalk+","Ben Johnson","Cairo Santos","Caleb Williams","Chicago Bears","Colston Loveland","D'Marco Jackson","Dennis Allen","Luther Burden III","New England Patriots","NFL Week 7","Perez's 7","Rome Odunze"],meta_title:"Perez's 7: What the Bears' win over Patriots revealed",meta_description:"The Chicago Bears improved to 5-2 with a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots. Perez's 7 examines Caleb Williams, Luther Burden III, and 7 major takeaways.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:6,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"premium",is_featured:!1},$R[26]={id:"5b976dbf-dfe3-4712-a382-5976f1e7f244",wp_post_id:100000000266,title:"7 stats that could decide Bears vs. Patriots on Thursday Night Football",slug:"bears-patriots-7-stats-week-7-2026",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/10/22",published_at:"2026-10-22T19:42:21.594+00:00",updated_at:"2026-10-22T19:42:21.594+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots enter Thursday night's showdown with identical 4-2 records, top-10 defenses and offenses capable of moving the football, led by quarterbacks selected with the first and third overall picks of the 2024 NFL draft.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But those similarities tell only part of the story.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Dig into the numbers, and you'll find fascinating matchups that could determine whether Chicago improves to 5-2 or watches New England leave Soldier Field with its fourth straight win.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears and Patriots are both 4-2 entering Thursday night. Here are seven revealing stats, including Chicago's NFL-best rushing attack and Drake Maye's touchdown streak.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1791207909849-p64sil.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiI0ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc5MTIwNzkwOTg0OS1wNjRzaWwud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTEyMDc5MTAsImV4cCI6MjEwNjU2NzkxMH0.mJEVbG7p0TBRuld3UoXW76-HRUESblDVJ7UYGsU4-7U",photo_credit:null,status:"published",created_at:"2026-10-22T19:26:17.366054+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[27]=[],tags:$R[28]=["Bears Stats","BearsTalk+","Ben Johnson","Caleb Williams","Chicago Bears","Dennis Allen","Drake Maye","New England Patriots","NFL Week 7","Thursday Night Football"],meta_title:"Bears vs. Patriots: 7 key stats for Thursday night",meta_description:"The 4-2 Chicago Bears host the 4-2 Patriots on Thursday Night Football. Here are 7 key stats, from Chicago's rushing attack to Drake Maye's touchdown streak.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:"Chicago Bears",reading_time_minutes:3,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"premium",is_featured:!1},$R[29]={id:"ab2a9f9b-ea30-4689-bb94-8b86d11a424b",wp_post_id:100000000265,title:"4 early 2027 NFL Draft prospects Bears fans should keep an eye on",slug:"bears-2027-nfl-draft-prospects-week-7",wp_link:null,url_date_path:"2026/10/22",published_at:"2026-10-22T18:43:02.605+00:00",updated_at:"2026-10-22T18:43:02.605+00:00",author_login:"bryanjperez",content:"\x3Cp>The Chicago Bears are thinking about the playoffs, not the 2027 NFL draft. That's exactly how it should be for a team entering Week 7 at 4-2.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>But the NFL Draft never stops being part of the conversation, especially for a roster that still has questions along the defensive line, at cornerback, and at left tackle.\x3C/p>\x3Cp>Here are four 2027 prospects worth monitoring as Chicago's needs become clearer.\x3C/p>",excerpt:"The Bears are 4-2, but it's never too early to look ahead. Here are four 2027 NFL Draft prospects to watch, Chicago's draft position and roster needs.",featured_image_url:"https://jxsasjkteolpvwybngyp.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/cms-media/posts/1787419255729-9dyeeq.webp?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV80ZmVjZWU3MC03MmJkLTQzZmUtYmJkZi04MGJiZDE2MmEwNTkiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJjbXMtbWVkaWEvcG9zdHMvMTc4NzQxOTI1NTcyOS05ZHllZXEud2VicCIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODc0MTkyNTYsImV4cCI6MjEwMjc3OTI1Nn0.NELmczb-XX9XXJPEKDQyaWOGwEjGD3wYi-lswa6sEkQ",photo_credit:null,status:"published",created_at:"2026-10-22T18:23:44.726111+00:00",author_display_name:"Bryan Perez",author_gravatar_hash:"ce9d5105163cfec1a527c0b2f50332df",author_avatar_url:"/api/public/media/authors/bryanjperez-2026.jpg",category_names:$R[30]=["News"],tags:$R[31]=[],meta_title:"4 Chicago Bears 2027 NFL Draft targets worth monitoring",meta_description:"The Bears are 4-2, but it's never too early to look ahead. Here are four 2027 NFL Draft prospects to watch, Chicago's draft position and roster needs.",og_image_url:null,canonical_url:null,focus_keyword:null,reading_time_minutes:3,is_draft:!1,scheduled_publish_at:null,visibility:"premium",is_featured:!1}],truncated:!1},ssr:!0}]})($R["tsr"])
