Caleb Williams drops to No. 2 behind top AFC QB in CBS Sports’ 2024 re-draft

The Chicago Bears went all in on Caleb Williams when they selected him first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The franchise needed a long-term answer at the quarterback position, and they saw the Oklahoma and USC product as the perfect man for the job.

The criticism started to mount after Williams failed to lead the Bears to the playoffs in his rookie year. The fact that he was sacked 68 times for a loss of 466 yards was something that the naysayers loudly pointed out as well.

Williams bounced back in Year 2, though. He completed 330 passes for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. His sacks dropped dramatically to just 24, with 165 yards lost.

With Williams under center, the Bears won the NFC North with an 11-6 record. They also made it all the way to the Divisional Round.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers.

Bears QB Caleb Williams drops to No. 2 in 2024 re-draft

CBS Sports decided to do a 2024 NFL re-draft for some offseason content. The network’s analysts, however, believe that the Bears would have passed on Williams at the No. 1 spot if they had known what they know now.

According to CBS Sports, the first overall pick in 2024 should have been Drake Maye.

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Maye went third overall to the New England Patriots in 2024. CBS Sports believes that the Bears would have taken the former North Carolina star in their mock re-draft.

Williams dropped to No. 2 to the Washington Commanders, while the Patriots scooped up Jayden Daniels third overall.

To be fair, Maye has been to the Super Bowl. He struggled in last season’s championship game as the Patriots ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13. Nevertheless, Maye led his team to the big game in just his second season, whereas the farthest Williams has taken Chicago in the playoffs is the Divisional Round.

Interestingly, Williams and Maye will get to face off on the field this coming season. The Bears will host the Patriots in Week 7 at Soldier Field. It will be an opportunity for both QBs to prove their worth and perhaps influence fans and analysts alike on whether they really deserved to be drafted where they were two years ago.