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Chicago Bears rookie quarterback and 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams is widely expected to live up to the projections that earned him his lofty draft status.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a group of league executives and scouts predicted Williams would win the Rookie of the Year award this season. He received the same amount of votes as Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels but won the tiebreaker in the category. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also received votes.
Fowler noted that some voters valued Daniels’ skills as “a calm pocket passer who can take off for easy yards.” However, Williams having a more ideal situation in Chicago is what separated him from the 2024 No. 2 pick.
“Caleb has the better supporting cast right now, which should bring the best out of him,” an NFC exec said. “And with Chicago’s struggles offensively over the years, if he has any sort of success in Year 1, he’ll get the sentimental vote.”
Williams will have a bevy of weapons at his disposal in his rookie season, as the Bears have a talented crop of skill position players that will surely help his chances of winning Rookie of the Year.
Chicago signed star receiver D.J. Moore to a massive extension, acquired veteran wideout Keenan Allen and drafted talented prospect Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick to create one of the most dangerous pass-catching trios in the NFL. Add in tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift, and the Bears offense has the potential to make some real waves this season.
Meanwhile, Daniels has a top wide receiver on the outside in Terry McLaurin but not much behind him. Harrison also has lofty expectations as the Cardinals’ presumptive No. 1 receiver despite being a rookie. Maye is set to start the year on the bench for the Patriots behind veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett.
It all creates a clear path for Williams to deliver on all predictions and claim the Rookie of the Year award by season’s end.
