How Much Is Bryce Young Worth in Relation to Caleb Williams?
One of the most difficult issues the Chicago Bears will have this offseason is what to do with the #1 overall pick as the 2024 NFL Draft draws near. For many, signing USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the best option. For others, it’s a difficult choice. The quarterback that the Bears selected with the 11th overall pick in 2021 is Justin Fields. This summer, Fields has been the focus of most trade discussions; but, some Bears supporters and reporters believe that the first pick could fetch enough trade value that the Bears would be forced to flip it.
Many believe that Caleb Williams is a generational talent who has the ability to change a franchise’s course. More important than whether or if he is worth a trade is the question of how much he might be worth. The last several occasions the top pick was traded away should be examined in order to determine that.
Panthers Take a Chance on Bryce Young
To discover the last instance in which the first selection was traded for a big haul, you don’t have to look very far back. In last year’s draft, the Carolina Panthers traded up to choose Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. The top overall pick was once again owned by the Bears. During the 2023 offseason, there was still a lot of discussion about Justin Fields, but there was not much conjecture that the Bears would do anything other than trade the pick.
“We’ll take that route if the phones go off and there are specific circumstances where that can help us.” said Poles during a press conference following the Bears’ acquisition of the #1 selection in 2023.
And they carried out precisely that.
The Panthers forfeited their first-round pick in 2024 (now the first overall pick) and their number nine and 61 overall picks in the 2023 draft. They also lost standout wide receiver D.J. Moore, who finished the 2023 season with 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
After throwing for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns to ten interceptions, the Bryce Young experiment took a hit, as the Panthers finished 2-15. However, improvements were made when Dave Canales was hired as head coach and edge rusher Brian Burns was given a franchise tag.
Thinking back to last season, what can the Bears get?
Undoubtedly, most clubs in need of a quarterback would be willing to trade for the first selection, but the cost might not be as high as most people think.
There are three quarterbacks in this year’s draft class who are considered elite talent: Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Williams. All three are frequently mocked as the top five picks. With the second, third, and sixth picks in order, the Commanders, Patriots, and Giants are all thought to be contenders to select quarterbacks.
Given all of these variables, it’s possible that, in contrast to 2023, the Bears will only receive one first-round selection this year for their initial pick. They would most likely still be selected by at least three of the teams mentioned above.
Teams outside of that group, like the Vikings, Falcons, and Steelers, would undoubtedly need to provide multiple first-round selections and a minimum of six picks, which would equal the amount the Rams used to select Jared Goff in 2016.
Caleb Williams would be worth more in any other year, but given the crowded quarterback market and teams’ penchant for senior players, a trade that isn’t as spectacular as the one from the previous year is possible.