Years before the Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they were eyeing one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history: Tom Brady. During the FOX broadcast of the Week 4 game between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, Brady shared insights into his decision to join the Buccaneers during the 2020 free agency period. He mentioned various factors that influenced his choice, including weather and team dynamics.
In a surprising revelation, Brady disclosed that he “seriously” considered signing with the Bears for the 2020 season, highlighting a discreet recruitment effort by Chicago. “They were very stealth in their recruitment,” he said on September 29. “I was seriously considering them, but in the end it came down to Tampa. It was close to my son Jack, I loved Bruce Arians and the role he played in the offense, and the great players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.”
How Brady’s Signing Could Have Changed Bears’ History
The Bears’ interest in Brady sheds light on how differently the franchise might have evolved had they secured him. Just ten days after Brady signed with the Buccaneers in March, Chicago traded a fourth-round pick to acquire veteran quarterback Nick Foles to challenge Mitchell Trubisky.
Foles started seven games for the Bears that season, throwing 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, as the team finished 8-8 and was eliminated in the wild-card round. In stark contrast, Brady threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title.
Since that missed opportunity, the Bears have undergone several quarterback changes. After their playoff exit, they brought in veteran Andy Dalton and later traded up to draft Justin Fields at No. 11 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, the team struggled to find a cohesive balance among the three quarterbacks, finishing the season at 6-11 and resulting in an overhaul of the front office and coaching staff.
The Bears officially handed the starting role to Fields in 2022, but his struggles with consistency continued over the next two seasons. Ultimately, Chicago moved on from Fields during the 2024 offseason, trading him to Pittsburgh and selecting Williams with the top pick.
Had the Bears landed Brady in 2020, the franchise’s trajectory over the past four years could have looked significantly different, potentially altering their current situation as the Buccaneers also navigate a quarterback change with Baker Mayfield.
Encouraging Performance from Caleb Williams Against the Rams
Looking forward, the Bears are seeing promising signs from their future quarterback, Caleb Williams, who delivered a solid performance in the Week 4 win over the Rams. Although he threw for nearly 200 yards less than his franchise rookie record of 363 yards set in Week 3, Williams showcased improved efficiency, completing 17 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over.
Through four games, Williams has completed 61.7% of his passes (87 of 141) for 787 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions, achieving a career-high quarterback rating of 106.6 in the victory over the Rams.
The Bears also supported Williams with a more effective running game. D’Andre Swift, who had been averaging under 2 yards per carry, rushed for a season-high 93 yards and scored his first touchdown with the team while also catching seven passes for 72 yards.
Currently sitting at 2-2, the Bears will aim to improve their record when they host the Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Soldier Field on October 6.
