Prospective No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams is receiving plenty of guidance from external sources now that it is clear he will be the next quarterback of the Chicago Bears.
The most recent advice came from former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III on Monday, March 18. Griffin took to social media and urged Williams to directly inform the Bears that he won't report if they draft him.
“Caleb Williams should do what Eli Manning and demand that the Chicago Bears do not draft him number one overall,” Griffin said.
Manning insisted that the Los Angeles Chargers (then of San Diego) pass on him with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft. The Chargers didn’t comply, but eventually traded Manning to the New York Giants for QB Phillip Rivers and a draft haul.
The Chargers built a competitive team for several years around the return, though Manning went on to win two Super Bowl Championships in New York.
Griffin Accused Bears of Failing QB Justin Fields, Put Zero Accountability on Fields Himself
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Griffin based his argument for Williams bucking the system and using the power he has to force his way elsewhere — like perhaps to his hometown team the Washington Commanders — in Chicago’s apparent inability to develop former No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields.
“After everything that’s happened with just Justin Fields, can Caleb Williams really look at that and say, ‘You know what? This is the organization that has my best interest at heart, and they’re gonna help develop me into the player that I want to become,'” Griffin continued.
Fields is a prolific rusher from the QB position with an elite dual-threat skill set and was among the dark horse candidates to make a run for MVP in 2023 if he evolved as a passer. Fields had his moments, but ultimately didn’t make the kind of strides necessary as a thrower to render the Bears a playoff contender.
Of course, Chicago must bear some of the responsibility for Fields’ lack of progress, and firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy (now with the Las Vegas Raiders) was part of the franchise accepting accountability for its failures.
However, Griffin’s argument doesn’t put any accountability on Fields for his own inability to develop his downfield vision or as a decision maker, which is a primary flaw in Griffin’s case for Williams to shun Chicago before even meeting with the team.
Chicago’s Trade Return for Justin Fields Has Zero Connection to Team’s Ability to Develop Caleb Williams
GettyFormer USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Griffin’s argument fell apart further when he switched his primary point from a lack of Fields’ development, for which he blamed only the team and not the player, to the fact that Bears general manager Ryan Poles was only able to secure a conditional sixth-round pick back from the Pittsburgh Steelers in trade for the three-year starting quarterback.
“I thought Ryan Poles was having an amazing offseason up until this trade for Justin Fields, because you trade Justin Fields so you can get some players back to help your team out this year!” Griffin said, conjuring his best Stephen A. Smith impression. “Because Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus, the current head coach of the Chicago Bears, is in a situation where he must succeed this year or he will be fired.
The compensation the Bears received for Fields does not seem to be related to the organization's or coaching staff's ability to develop Williams as an NFL player. Poles rejected better offers for Fields because the quarterback wanted to join the Steelers, who have assured Russell Wilson that he will be their starting quarterback in 2024. This explains why Pittsburgh was not willing to offer a second-round value for Fields, considering him a backup player and they have to make a $25.7 million decision by early May for the 2025 season. Bears Have Stacked Offensive Roster Around Incoming Rookie QB New Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen.
More important for Williams than the trade for Fields is the team's efforts to build a strong supporting cast around the young quarterback prospect. These players include wide receivers Keenan Allen and running back D'Andre Swift, who can provide Fields with a strong offensive arsenal. The talent on Chicago’s offensive roster far exceeds that of the New England Patriots and is also clearly better than that of the second-picking Commanders at the moment.
Chicago also possesses the ninth overall pick in the draft, in addition to the first overall selection it will likely use to pick Williams.
GettyThe Bears also have the rights to a third- and fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft, and may look to enhance the secondary.
Potential top draft pick Caleb Williams is receiving a lot of guidance from external sources as he is likely to become the next quarterback of the Chicago Bears.
Those players include wide receivers Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift, who can provide Fields with one of the better offensive arsenals of any team in the league. The talent on Chicago’s offensive roster far exceeds that of the New England Patriots, who pick at No. 3 overall, and is also clearly superior at the moment to that of the Commanders, who will select second.
Chicago also owns the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, beyond the first overall selection it will presumably use to select Williams. The team can add to its offensive line in that spot or use the pick to add a second edge rusher alongside Pro Bowler Montez Sweat, for whom the Bears traded a second-round pick last October.
The Bears own the rights to a third- and fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft as well, and could look to supplement a secondary that includes recent multiyear signings of two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard and defensive back Jaylon Johnson — arguably the best cover corner in the NFL in 2023.
