Doesn’t it depend on what he does with the #1 pick? If he drafts Williams, then definitely need to draft WR at #9.
However, if he keeps Fields and drafts Harrison #1, then draft Edge or 3-tech at #9. I thought we agreed on that. Did I just lose you?
Unless D.J. Moore is leaving Chicago this upcoming months, there's no need to draft a WR at #9. You can but it's not a need. There are way too many holes to fill. In fact, if we're able to land Mike Evans or Michael Pittman (I prefer the latter) in FA, then there's absolutely no need to draft a WR in the first four rounds.
How many teams truly have two great-elite receivers as starters?
How many Super Bowl ready teams have only ONE reliable WR?
Doesn’t it depend on what he does with the #1 pick? If he drafts Williams, then definitely need to draft WR at #9.
However, if he keeps Fields and drafts Harrison #1, then draft Edge or 3-tech at #9. I thought we agreed on that. Did I just lose you?
Unless D.J. Moore is leaving Chicago this upcoming months, there's no need to draft a WR at #9. You can but it's not a need. There are way too many holes to fill. In fact, if we're able to land Mike Evans or Michael Pittman (I prefer the latter) in FA, then there's absolutely no need to draft a WR in the first four rounds.
How many teams truly have two great-elite receivers as starters?
Miami: Hill and Waddle
Philly: AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith
San Fran: Deebo and Aiyuk
Cincy: Chase and Higgins
Tampa: Evans and Godwin
Dallas: CeeDee and Cooks
Minny: Jefferson and Addison
Seattle: DK and Lockett
Chargers: Allen and Williams
I just named 9...and it could be 10 if you think Puca is legit to go along with Kupp.
Whoever they find to OC the team will drive what they do at QB, so whoever it is I hope they insist on not just a qb, but the correct pieces to put around it, ie not Def. The entire offseason has to be about putting the qb as the primary driver of the team, not the run game not the def.
+1,000 to that ^^^^^ Go all in this time to support the QB & passing game.
Look what GB did, I loved seeing their draft and talked about it at the time. It didn't need to be taking a top WR early, But 2 TE's and a WR in the first 3 rounds, and another WR in the 5th. They committed to fixing what was going on w/the O. They knew what they were looking for at took it.
You don't need the BEST WR in the draft, you have Moore, what you need is several good WR's to build around him, and you need a 2nd TE that can be effective in the passing game. More than that you need a starting C and a starting OG and a backup OG and OT.
Luckily the team has draft capital, and FA cap space to clean up much of this.
Why do I have the feeling those 3 teams also have good QBs?
Cuz have a good D AND a good pass attack is nirvana. That's not what you were describing. You were talking about an elite D and a strong running game which, while it can and does work, is hard to assemble and keep together.
Can we just get a good passing QB please? Is that asking too much?
Sure, and we’ve been looking for one for 30+ years.
Maybe it’s Williams. The whole football world has him #1. The Poles interview is only thing remaining.
What I was talking about can beat a team with a better QB. The Bears defense and running game is already close, and Fields may be closer than you think. I saw a YouTube today by Chris Long, making the case for Fields. One of his points I haven't mentioned to you is that we don't really KNOW yet how high his ceiling may be with the additions I want. He said Fields only needs to improve 10-15% more. I am sure you disagree.
I disagree. He needs to GET way better than 10% to be a long-term top-10 starter. He also needs to BE way better RIGHT NOW to justify passing on Caleb.
Be a different discussion if our first pick was #20.
Sure, and we’ve been looking for one for 30+ years.
Maybe it’s Williams. The whole football world has him #1. The Poles interview is only thing remaining.
What I was talking about can beat a team with a better QB. The Bears defense and running game is already close, and Fields may be closer than you think. I saw a YouTube today by Chris Long, making the case for Fields. One of his points I haven't mentioned to you is that we don't really KNOW yet how high his ceiling may be with the additions I want. He said Fields only needs to improve 10-15% more. I am sure you disagree.
I disagree. He needs to GET way better than 10% to be a long-term top-10 starter. He also needs to BE way better RIGHT NOW to justify passing on Caleb.
Be a different discussion if our first pick was #20.
Agree to disagree
Since Williams has never played an NFL game, we don’t have a true basis of comparison. Hoge says Caleb has some of the same traits and weaknesses as Fields.
But you want 4000 passing yards. butkus and I told you Fields was passing at a 3400 rate this year. Add 15% to that for Harrison, center, and OC upgrades to the offense in 2024, and we are at 3900. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it’s more.
Secondly, since I prefer to look at team’s total offense as the better indicator than just passing yards, consider Fields total offensive contribution in 2024: 3800 passing plus 700 rushing = 4500 total offense from Fields. Add 2000 rushing from other players, and we are at 6500+ TOTAL OFFENSE. That’s my target for this offense.
+1,000 to that ^^^^^ Go all in this time to support the QB & passing game.
Look what GB did, I loved seeing their draft and talked about it at the time. It didn't need to be taking a top WR early, But 2 TE's and a WR in the first 3 rounds, and another WR in the 5th. They committed to fixing what was going on w/the O. They knew what they were looking for at took it.
You don't need the BEST WR in the draft, you have Moore, what you need is several good WR's to build around him, and you need a 2nd TE that can be effective in the passing game. More than that you need a starting C and a starting OG and a backup OG and OT.
Luckily the team has draft capital, and FA cap space to clean up much of this.
I agree with all of that, Ric. I would add that some folks were talking early in the season like Green Bay's young WRs were trash. Yes, they were making mistakes and not looking that good at the beginning. But as the season went on they improved. Right now those guys look like a bright future for GB. My point is that it does take time for new guys to develop into good players. Of course that development will not happen without good coaches, schemes - and the young guys DO have to have the level of raw talent that CAN be developed (some players obviously never have it to begin with). This just reminds me of how critically important it is that the Bears bring in great coaching talent on offense this off season. Get a great OC who can manage the position coaches well, game plan well & call a good game.
