It’s almost time for unsigned NFL free agents who wish to play in 2024 to start looking seriously for a place to call home.
Centre Connor Williams is a guy I’m keeping an eye on as a potential match for the Chicago Bears. Even while it may not seem like the greatest or most ideal fit at this moment, I have a reason. Let’s let Adam Schefter of ESPN first set the scene:
According to Schefty, Connor Williams is already bouncing around with a few organisations in search of a new football home by 2024. The seasoned ESPN insider continues, saying Williams plans to choose a new team before to the start of training camps. Schefter makes no mention of specific teams or suggests which ones could be a good fit. However, I find it difficult to ignore the Bears as a team that ought to be considering its options.
The Chicago Bears could be a good fit for Connor Williams, but only if they are imaginative.
There isn’t a definitive answer for what the Bears should do in this situation, therefore I’ve been unsure about what to include in this part. Theoretically, they *SHOULD* find Connor Williams interesting. However, in actuality and theory, things can differ.
Although the 27-year-old offensive lineman has played centre, guard, and tackle in his career, his best position going forward will probably be centre, where he has excelled during the last two Miami Dolphins seasons. Additionally, Connor Williams seemed like a reasonable target given the Bears had a dire need at centre going into the offseason.
Prior to missing the last eight games of the regular season due to a season-ending knee injury, Williams was rated as the second-highest centre by Pro Football Focus (86.5). Furthermore, Williams’ achievement is not a one-year phenomenon. In 2022, he ranked as the fourth-best centre (78.4), and in 2021, he ranked as the tenth-best offensive guard (75.2).
To put it plainly, I can’t help but notice anything about his track record. Even though Connor Williams was coming off an injury-shortened season, there was a reason he caught our attention as a potential Bears fit in the offseason. When Patrick connected the dots, it gave some new insight. Even after more than three months, I’m still interested in the prospect of bolstering Williams’ offensive line depth.
I am aware, though, that the Bears’ need for a centre isn’t as pressing as it was early in the summer. I therefore fail to hammer home the point for Chicago’s front desk to bring him in.
Coleman Shelton, the free agent acquired by general manager Ryan Poles, is anticipated to start at centre. Ryan Bates, who has experience starting at centre as well as other spots along the line, was also acquired by Poles. Considering that, I’m not sure if the Bears really need to add another centre to their roster.
On the other hand, it might not harm to check out Connor Williams and see if anyone might be interested. After all, given that Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins have both missed previous seasons due to injuries, his guard experience and positional flexibility may come in handy. I’m one of those people that thinks the more the merrier when it comes to depth.
However, it might be difficult to fit that in. It makes sensible to join a team prior to the commencement of training camp. But it seems like an unnecessary obstacle to try to acclimatise a rookie quarterback with a new centre, especially one who just recovered from a devastating injury that ended the season. Managing an offence with a new coordinator and a plethora of new players, on top of attempting to perfect his cadence, is already too much for Caleb Williams to handle. Right now, it might not be wise to try to get him into a rhythm with a new centre.
And there’s the whole financial issue. Connor Williams was expected to sign a three-year contract worth $7.5 million year with $12.5 million in guarantees at the beginning of free agency. I’m not sure if acquiring a third centre option would be the Bears’ greatest use of cap space. It would be wiser to spend the remaining cap money to sign a defensive end worth that contract who is capable of starting. Having said that, I doubt I would be too angry if Williams was pursued by this front staff as a longer-term option for the job. It’s just that seeing it at this moment is difficult.
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