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Former Bears Exec Says 'It Is F--king Hard' to Play QB in Chicago

zach bacharContributor IMay 13, 2024

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - MAY 10: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Michael Reaves/Getty Images

One former Chicago Bears executive acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing quarterback for the team ahead of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams' rookie season.

"It is f--king hard to play in this city at that position because as soon as you play two or three bad games, you're the worst mother----er on the planet and it comes down heavy," the former exec told NFL insider Tyler Dunne. "I don't think it's a coincidence that the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears are the two teams that have a hardest time finding quarterbacks because you better have the guy who's wired right. And talented."

The Bears have struggled to find a consistent option under center throughout most of their history, as they're the only NFL team that has never produced a 4,000-yard passing season from a quarterback.

Jay Cutler is Chicago's all-time passing leader with 23,443 yards, although no other quarterback has eclipsed 15,000 total yards through the air in a Bears uniform. Cutler also made just one Pro Bowl appearance in his career as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2008.

Justin Fields was selected by Chicago with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft, making 40 appearances with the team from 2021 through 2023. However, he played for two head coaches and finished with a record of 10-28 in his 38 starts.

On March 16, the Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick.

Now, Caleb Williams will attempt to become Chicago's franchise quarterback following an extremely impressive collegiate career at USC and Oklahoma. After winning the Heisman Trophy with the Trojans in 2022, he followed it up by completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2023.

Williams' talent is undeniable, although he'll need to persevere through adversity that can occasionally come from his own fanbase in order to blossom in Chicago.