GM Ryan Poles made the Chicago Bears’ intentions obvious from the moment the off-season kicked off. Every single notable move he has made over the past four months has centered on one goal: help quarterback Caleb Williams prepare for the NFL. They traded for Keenan Allen, signed D’Andre Swift, and drafted Rome Odunze. They also added multiple pieces to their offensive line, such as 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie, veteran guard Ryan Bates, and center Coleman Shelton. One would think the Bears are content with their work going into training camp.
That may not be the case. According to NFL Notifications, a Twitter handle known for providing solid information on NFL news over the past year, Poles may be eyeing another prominent offensive lineman.
Connor Williams isn’t just another guy. Many considered him one of the best centers in football before an unfortunate knee injury ended his 2023 season. He allowed only 24 pressures on the quarterback in his last 1000 pass-blocking snaps. Williams is a presence in the middle when healthy.
Williams’ agent confirmed his client is healthy and ready to sign with a team. He’s received interest from several. At 27 years old, he is in his prime. Any team that lands him gets a good player who can turn into a great one if the knee doesn’t bother him. Chicago’s interest is understandable. Center is the one spot on their offensive line that has no clear starter. Bates and Shelton are currently competing for the job. Bates has limited experience there, while Shelton wasn’t good enough for the Los Angeles Rams to bring back despite helping them to the playoffs.
There is no question Williams would be the best option from the moment he walked into Halas Hall. It would instantly make the Chicago Bears offensive line more formidable. If helping Caleb is their primary goal, this is a way to do it. The financial part is tricky. His knee injury makes any offer a risk. That said, interest from multiple teams likely means the Bears will have to be somewhat aggressive. Williams averaged just shy of $7 million per year with Miami. He likely seeks something close to that.
