The Chicago Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Anything else would be a stunner, unlike anything we've ever seen in NFL draft history.
As a result, the Bears only brought Williams to Chicago for a pre-draft visit. On Tuesday, general manager Ryan Poles explained why.
"The journey to collect all the information is different for everyone," Poles told the media during the Chicago Bears pre-draft press conference. "There's guys on our board that are high that didn't come in for a 30-visit that we've had other touchpoints. Our networks in the building know the player inside and out that we really, really trust. You had the combine. There's different kinds of touchpoints. You don't have to necessarily bring everyone in on a visit."
Indeed, the Bears have different methods of collecting information, and sometimes, teams hide their interest in a player by not having them visit. But the 2024 NFL Draft is different. Chicago has the first pick; there's no gamesmanship. If there were any debate about who they were taking with the first pick, they'd settle it with as many interactions with the candidates as possible.
In this case, there's only one candidate: Caleb Williams.
Still, what Poles said does have value. The Chicago Bears may have hidden their interest in the player they want with their second first-round pick; perhaps they didn't have that player in for a visit to keep teams that are picking before them off their scent.
With the first overall pick, there's nothing to hide.
"We know what we’re going to do... but everyone is going to have to wait until Thursday," Poles said.