Former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams has officially declared for the NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears’ off-season priority begins with making the correct decision with the No. 1 pick in April.

Last season, the Bears held the top pick after finishing a league-worst 3-14 record. After months of speculation, general manager Ryan Poles traded the selection to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina drafted Alabama QB Bryce Young with the top pick.

The Panthers sent a boatload of picks back to Chicago, including their 2024 first-round choice. Following a tumultuous, turbulent and tempestuous 2023 season in Carolina, the Bears return with the top selection once again.

The top few selections hold franchise-altering weight, and looking back to last season’s draft showcases how much the right choice can impact a franchise.

The 2022 Houston Texans entered week 18 with a 2-13-1 record, and in the front driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick. A miraculous, last-minute play officially gave them the No. 2 selection. Houston selected Ohio State QB CJ Stroud, who has put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history.

In his first career playoff game, Stroud composed another tremendous performance against the Cleveland Browns. The Texans won by 31 points, and Stroud accounted for three first-half passing touchdowns.

The same can be said for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected Heisman Trophy-winning QB Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals have been competitive since Burrow’s first full season at quarterback, including making a trip to the Super Bowl in 2021.

Williams will be the top selection at the draft, but it’s still unclear which way the Bears are leaning. There are two clear options: Trade Justin Fields to a QB-needy team for a couple of day two draft picks and select Williams, or send the No. 1 pick to a team, and build the roster around Fields.

The Bears improved by four wins from 2022 to 2023, and building a playoff-caliber team should be the off-season priority.

Another resounding priority is re-signing star cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

The former second-round selection has become one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. Johnson earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection this season. Johnson was one of the most important pieces to the Bears’ 2023 defensive resurgence. 

Chicago and Johnson have engaged in contract negotiations. Poles is confident Johnson will be a cornerstone to the Bears’ defense for years to come.

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