Don't count out Caleb Williams to the Commanders just yet

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball ahead of Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker JD Bertrand (27) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest question heading into this week’s NFL combine — and ahead of the new league year — is what the Chicago Bears will do with incumbent quarterback Justin Fields.

Chicago holds the No. 1 overall pick, and many believe the Bears will trade Fields and select USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. Fields has shown flashes in three seasons, but not enough for the Bears to believe he should be the guy for the next 10-12 years.

In short, the Bears have options. For any team possibly interested in moving up to No. 1, Chicago holds all the leverage. The Bears could keep Fields and continue to build around him, moving down and adding multiple prime picks in the next two, possibly three drafts.

Or, Chicago could stay put, trade Fields, and select Williams.

In his Monday morning column for NBC Sports, where he announced his retirement from the industry, the legendary Peter King weighed in on the Bears and the No. 1 pick.

Let’s stress this is not a report from King—a thought. But remember, he’s one of the most connected media members in the history of the NFL.

Here’s what he wrote:

I suppose the Bears are going to trade the top pick. I know nothing, but that seems to be the way the wind is blowing. What I say: The Bears could keep Justin Fields (and should), and trade the first pick down once or twice, and build the kind of supporting cast a team needs to contend. Suppose GM Ryan Poles traded the top pick down one spot to Washington (which would take Caleb Williams), and got the second pick, a second-round pick and a 2025 first-round pick in return. Then suppose Poles traded the second pick to Atlanta at eight, and the Falcons picked one of the other quarterbacks. In return, Chicago gets the eighth pick, Atlanta’s second-round pick, and first- and second-round picks next year. Imagine moving from 1 to 8 and ending up with this draft haul:

• The eighth and ninth (their own) overall picks in round one this year.
• Second-round picks from Washington and Atlanta this year.
• Three first-round picks and two second-round picks in 2025

That would certainly be tempting from Chicago’s perspective. Chicago supposedly wants a “historic haul” for the No. 1 pick. Trading down twice would certainly net the Bears a historic haul.

For those Washington fans dreaming of Williams coming home, that possibility remains until Chicago says it doesn’t.

The speculation of Williams to Washington went into overdrive earlier this month when the Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator. Kingsbury and Williams have had a close relationship since their time together at USC last season.

There could be news regarding Fields or the No. 1 pick sometime this week at the NFL combine. If not, the speculation will continue.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Don’t count out Caleb Williams to the Commanders just yet