Sports
James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on the Bears’ Priorities Heading Into an Important Draft
As the 91st annual NFL draft just gets underway in Pittsburgh, the Chicago Bears find themselves at a pivotal point.
With seven total picks, including four in the top 89, a major roster shakeup, and quarterback Caleb Williams entering his third season, the front office is under pressure to deliver immediate impact talent.
Notably, the Bears dealt star wide receiver D.J. Moore to Buffalo in exchange for additional draft positioning. While it added capital, it also removed one of the offense’s most reliable playmakers.
This offseason also saw the departure of several other key contributors, including linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and veteran defensive backs Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. The result is a roster that now has noticeable holes on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense where leadership and consistency took a hit.
There’s the added challenge of not just replacing talent, but reestablishing identity, especially for a defense that struggled to maintain cohesion late last season.
“You need to be able to figure out guys who are going to work well in your system, whether that be offensively or defensively,” said James “Big Cat” Williams, a former Chicago Bears offensive lineman. “They might not be starters right off the bat. They might come in and play special teams before they move on, but they need to be part of the rotation.”
The team holds the 25th selection in the first round along with 57th and 60th in the second round, and 89th in the third.
“You’re not going to bring someone in on that 25 pick to just sit on the bench and learn, so you want somebody that’s going to help you out along the way and progress as they go along,” Williams said. “There are a lot of holes that they need to fill.”
As for storylines that happen on the field, few loom larger than the development of Caleb Williams.
After two seasons marked by flashes of elite potential mixed with inconsistency, Williams now enters the phase of his career where progress is expected to translate into wins. Around the three year mark is often when quarterbacks make their defining leap, or raise long-term questions.
“I’m anxious to see another year under Ben Johnson,” said Big Cat Williams. “There are certain platforms, certain schedules that Ben is going to want him to stay on schedule with and once he is able to do that, I think that will make him an all-around better player.”
For the Bears, this draft is as much about supporting their quarterback as it is about evaluating him. Whether that means improving pass protection, adding new receiving threats, or simply building a more stable base around him.
“You might see a little bit of backsliding, but you also might see them as a team that plays better,” said Williams. “If they only have 10 wins and it’s a win less than last year but they did it in good fashion, then I’m OK with that.”
