NFL Power Rankings: Are the Bears and QB Caleb Williams ready to make a move?

The Bears aren’t the best team in the NFL, but they are the most fascinating.

They’re running a seemingly unprecedented experiment as No. 1 pick Caleb Williams joins a roster that was already headed toward a playoff berth, and general manager Ryan Poles has provided everything he needs to pursue his goal of having the best rookie season ever.

Not only is Williams considered a once-every-few-years talent, but it’s rare for a draft-picked quarterback to find himself in such a ready-made situation. Usually, they end up in a complete mess, like Justin Fields and Mitch Trubisky did when the Bears drafted them in the first round.

Poles compared some of Williams’ abilities to those of Patrick Mahomes, who also encountered a favorable situation when the Chiefs drafted him 10th in 2017. Giving him a viable offensive line, an excellent crew of talented players and potentially a defense among the first 10. , expectations are enormous.

No wonder “Hard Knocks” wanted the Bears this summer. Everyone is going to watch them all season.

Here’s where they stand in the league landscape after an offseason filled with stunning trades and free agent signings, as well as a draft that saw six teams take quarterbacks within the first 12 picks:

1. 49ers

The 49ers have gone 35-16 over the past three seasons, reaching the NFC title game twice and losing to the Chiefs in overtime in the Super Bowl. Their list remains loaded, and it’s finally their turn.

2. Leaders

They’re a dynasty and they’ll always be with Patrick Mahomes, but the Chiefs are faltering as they fight for the three-way spot. It’s incredibly difficult to continue winning championships when they have to get rid of key players like cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

3. Crows

The window is still very open for the Ravens and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. They were No. 1 in points allowed and No. 4 in points scored last season.

4. Lions

They had a 14-point lead over the 49ers in the second half of the NFC title game last season. What if this was the highlight of this race?

5. Texans

Everyone was afraid to face CJ Stroud and the Texans – then they pivoted by trading for wide receiver Stefon Diggs and signing pass rusher Danielle Hunter. Attention.

6. Packers

Quarterback Jordan Love quietly posted a 112.7 passer rating over the final eight games and finished second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes, then won a playoff game.

7. Eagles

Saquon Barkley was a huge free agent pickup for the Eagles. He has totaled 2,892 offensive yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

8. Bengals

Quarterback Joe Burrow was an MVP contender in 2021 and 2022, but can he get back to that level after an injury-marred season?

9. Cowboys

The Cowboys looked unstoppable at 10-3 last season, then faltered late and were eliminated at home by the Packers in the playoffs. They are never as good as they think they are.

10. Invoices

The Bills’ window seemed to be starting to close last season. Now, they’re putting more responsibility than ever on quarterback Josh Allen to carry the offense.

11. Hawks

Already an ascending team, the Falcons improved with quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​​​and bolstered their skillset by signing former Bears receiver Darnell Mooney. They also have the lightest schedule in the NFL, based on 2023 records.

12. Dolphins

The Dolphins’ biggest concern is that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may have plateaued. He’s been good the last two seasons, but they need him to beat heavyweights like the Chiefs.

13. Browns

They’ve remained competitive even though Deshaun Watson has only played in 12 games in two seasons since they traded for him, but there’s no evidence he’ll become a difference-maker again.

14. Steelers

Here’s another exciting storyline: How soon will Justin Fields replace Russell Wilson at quarterback? Wilson is 35 years old, only makes $1 million and probably doesn’t have a long-term future in Pittsburgh.

15. Bear

Here’s Williams’ goal, set by Stroud last season: a 100.8 passer rating, 23 touchdown passes, five interceptions, 273.9 yards per game, a Pro Bowl selection and – most importantly, by far – a playoff victory.

16. Buccaneers

The Bucs only beat one playoff team in the regular season and went 9-8. The teams on the rise will surpass them this season.

17.Jaguar

Trevor Lawrence tied Burrow for the highest salary in the NFL – $55 million per year – in his new contract extension. The Jaguars are 20-30 in his starts.

18. Rams

The trade for Matt Stafford was brilliant and led to a title, but his huge contract is now hurting the Rams.

19. Jets

It all depends on Aaron Rodgers, who will turn 41 during the season. There is only one Tom Brady. Most quarterbacks are in decline at this age.

20. Sea Hawks

The Seahawks have been hanging around in no-man’s land lately — not good enough to compete, not bad enough to get a high draft pick.

21. Foals

Quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick last year, is essentially getting a rehash of his rookie season after playing in just four games.

22. Chargers

The Chargers, now somewhat of a rebuild under coach Jim Harbaugh, have gone 36-47 over the past five seasons.

23. Broncos

This is a difficult team to understand. The Broncos started last season 1-5, then finished 7-4. They will likely begin the season with Jarrett Stidham (four career starts) as their starting quarterback until No. 12 pick Bo Nix is ​​ready.

24. Saints

The Saints face the Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons and Chiefs in the first month of the season.

25. Vikings

The Vikings managed to go 7-10 without a quarterback last season and reestablished the position by taking JJ McCarthy at 10th overall. But it’s currently an uphill climb in the NFC North.

26. Titans

The Titans acted like they were on the verge of contending by signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley and trading for Sneed, but that’s just wishful thinking for a six-win team.

27. Cardinals

The Cardinals looked much better and even had some nice wins once Kyler Murray recovered last season, but they are still at the bottom of the league.

28. The Looters

There’s no quarterback, Luke Getsy is the new offensive coordinator, and the Raiders have one of the strongest schedules in the NFL. How it will go ?

29. Giants

This is a very bad team that really needs a reset at quarterback, and they’re facing the sixth-toughest schedule.

30. Commanders

New quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick, looks like a future star, but unlike Williams, he’s on a team that’s still trying to reshuffle its roster.

31. Patriots

Two late-season wins prevented the Patriots from securing the No. 1 pick at third overall and getting quarterback Drake Maye.

32. Panthers

There’s no evidence that owner David Tepper knows what he’s doing, and the Panthers continue to be a joke under his leadership. The team made the playoffs four times in five seasons before purchasing him, but has gone 31-68 since.