Former NFL running back Merril Hoge has expressed strong reservations about USC quarterback Caleb Williams, projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In an interview with NBC Sports Chicago, Hoge criticized Williams’ game, stating that, halfway through evaluating the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, he doesn’t consider him “special” and emphasized that Williams is not comparable to players like Patrick Mahomes.
Hoge, known for his accurate talent evaluations, cautioned the Chicago Bears against making the mistake of selecting Williams in an attempt to compensate for past decisions. He argued that Williams falls short of the unique qualities exhibited by elite quarterbacks like Mahomes.
While the consensus suggests Williams as the top choice for the Bears, Hoge advocated for a second thought, pointing out other talented quarterbacks in the draft, such as North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Hoge also commented on the treatment of Bears quarterback Justin Fields, expressing the belief that the team hasn’t treated him fairly, having played under two different offensive coordinators in his first three seasons.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has leaned towards Williams as the No. 1 pick, proposing the possibility of trading Justin Fields for valuable assets. Hoge disagreed with this approach, asserting that the Bears haven’t provided Fields with a fair opportunity to showcase his abilities.
The article concludes by highlighting the Bears’ crucial decision in the upcoming draft, emphasizing the franchise-altering impact of selecting either Williams or sticking with Fields. It notes that the team’s success in climbing out of the NFC North basement depends on making the right decision.
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