Alyssa Barbieri
May 29, 2024 11:55 am CT
The Chicago Bears are ushering in a new era under quarterback Caleb Williams, who was selected first overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Williams comes to Chicago as one of the most hyped QB prospects since Andrew Luck. Now, the hope is he can help elevate this team to the point of contending for a championship.
The good news for Williams is he also happens to be entering arguably the best situation for a No. 1 pick quarterback in NFL history. Not only does he have an arsenal of weapons at his disposal (DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift), but he also has a potential top-10 defense looking to build off their impressive end to the 2023 season.
Outside of Williams, the Bears’ quarterback room is lacking a proven veteran backup. Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie last year, proved to be a solid backup for Justin Fields last year. The team opted to sign veteran Brett Rypien this offseason and they also have another undrafted rookie in Austin Reed on the roster.
ESPN’s Mike Clayhas released his 2024 projections, including ranking every quarterback room in the NFL. Where does Chicago’s QB room, led by rookie Caleb Williams, rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
32. Las Vegas Raiders
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) smiles as he leaves the field Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, after beating the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, Anthony Brown Jr.
31. New York Giants
Sep 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
30. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins (10) during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.
Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, Malik Willis
29. Denver Broncos
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
28. Minnesota Vikings
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up before the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
J.J. McCarthy, Sam Arnold, Nick Mullens
27. New England Patriots
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton III
26. Washington Commanders
ASHBURN, VA – MAY 10: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass during Washington Commanders Rookie Minicamp at OrthoVirginia Training Center on May 10, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Sam Hartman
25. Chicago Bears
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – MAY 11: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 11, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien
24. Carolina Panthers
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 13, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
22. New Orleans Saints
Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman, Spencer Rattler
21. Cleveland Browns
Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
20. Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks down field Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, John Wolford
18. Seattle Seahawks
Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Geno Smith, Sam Howell
17. Arizona Cardinals
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks to pass during the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, C.J. Beathard
15. Miami Dolphins
Sep 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) sets to pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, Skylar Thompson
14. Detroit Lions
Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
13. Atlanta Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs drills during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke
12. Green Bay Packers
Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Love, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt
11. Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
10. San Francisco 49ers
Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan
8. Houston Texans
Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs away from the pass rush against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
C.J. Stroud, Case Keenum, Davis Mills
7. Los Angeles Rams
Oct 8, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
6. Dallas Cowboys
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
5. New York Jets
Florham Park, NJ May 31, 2023 — Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers during the Jets OTA.
Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside
3. Baltimore Ravens
Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Devin Leary
2. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws against the New York Jets during the first half of the home opener at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford.
Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Shane Buechele
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Ian Book