The Chicago Bears are gearing up for one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams set to make his debut amid high expectations and a strong supporting cast. The national media is already rallying behind Williams, with many predicting he’ll secure a major award in his first year.
In a recent article, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler predicted the 2024 NFL award winners after interviewing multiple NFL executives who voted on each category. Bears fans will be pleased to learn that Williams emerged as the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Williams tied in votes with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, but ultimately won the tiebreaker in Fowler’s estimation. While some executives favor Daniels for his calm demeanor in the pocket and ability to scramble for easy yards, many believe Williams has the edge due to the quality of his supporting cast in Chicago.
“Caleb has the better supporting cast right now, which should bring the best out of him,” an NFC executive commented. “And with Chicago’s struggles offensively over the years, if he has any sort of success in Year 1, he’ll get the sentimental vote.”
Williams is widely considered the frontrunner for the award as the season begins. He would need to face significant challenges, and Daniels would need to excel, for Williams to miss out on the accolade.
The Bears have been a hot topic in the national media since drafting Williams, even being featured on HBO’s *Hard Knocks* earlier this summer. Some fans have questioned whether the team deserves all the hype, but Fowler’s article should provide some reassurance.
In a simulation by ESPN’s Seth Walder, the Bears make the playoffs in Williams’ rookie season with a 10-7 record, securing a wild card spot. The simulation even predicts the Bears will pull off a stunning upset, defeating the #2 seed Philadelphia Eagles 23-17 in the wild card round. However, the journey ends there, as Chicago falls to the #1 seed Detroit Lions with a 27-16 loss in the divisional round.
Despite the early playoff exit, Bears fans would likely be thrilled if the team can achieve 10 wins and a postseason victory over the Eagles in real life, signaling a bright future with Williams at the helm.
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